Every once in a while some fond mother's son, in school or in "this man's army," says, "Aw, what's the use in trying to do anything -- I never get the breaks." They do not realize that here in America it is possible for a fellow to create his own "breaks."In the spring of 1938 the Coldwater American Legion post voted to present some Senior boy in Coldwater high school the Legion Citizenship Award, the highest honor bestowed by the organization. The award was to to to the boy whose sportsmanship, leadership, scholarship and citizenship combined to make him the most outstanding boy in his class. That lad was Monroe Huck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Huck of Coldwater, He as also given a free trip to the Boys State in Wichita, where for a week 300 boys were given lessons in Citizenship in this Legion-sponsored school.
During his school days, Monroe worked faithfully after school, on Saturdays and during vacations in a grocery store, never complaining, but always doing his best, with no alibis or excuses. His education was secured the hard way.
After graduating from C.H.S. in 1938, he attended an airplane school in Wichita before being employed in the Douglas Aircraft Co. plant in San Diego, Calif. He worked there until January 22, 1941, when he enlisted in the army at Fort McArthur, Calif., after turning down a deferment offered him.
He was sent to Fort Benning, Ga., for his basic training in an armored division. Three months later he qualified for an armored force school and was sent to Fort Knox, Ky., to a wheeled vehicle mechanics school, graduating therefrom in July, 1941. There he was advanced from Pfc. to Technician Fifth Grade because of his intense interest in his work. Monroe was assigned to the Third Armored Division at Camp Polk, La., where the training inside big tanks was both hard and hot, but he never complained.
In January, 1942, he became a Technician, Third Grade and in June of that year he was transferred to the 7th Armored division as an instructor, with a Staff Sergeant's rating. It was then ''seven come eleven," as two months later he was put in the 11th Armored Division.
Feeling that he could be of more service to his country in the air corps, Monroe asked to be transferred to the A. A. F., but his commanding officer objected strenuously, saying that men with a fine record like Monroe's were needed so badly where he was. He turned down a proffered Master Sergeant's rating to go into the Air Corps as an ordinary cadet, with cadet's pay, and started at the bottom again.
His pilot training was begun at the pilot pre-flight school at Kelly Field, Texas, December 5, 1942, and after graduating there was sent to Pine Bluff, Ark., for primary training. Upon completing 46 hours of flying, he was eliminated as a pilot, but was given a chance to complete his training as a navigator.
He was sent back to the Replacement Center at kelly Field and in March, 1943, entered the Navigation Pre-flight School at Ellington Field, Texas, graduating from that school last June 22. Two days later he entered the Navigation Advanced School at Hondo, Texas, and there, because of his continued close application and his good record, was chosen as Aviation Cadet Captain of his class.
On October 23, 1943, after 33 months of pluck, perseverance and giving his best as a soldier, he received the commission of Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force, earning the long, hard way, his gold bars and silver navigator's wings. Despite discouragement's, he created his own "breaks" and forged ahead.
Lieut. Huck was sent immediately to Boise, Idaho, for combat training and there was attached to the crew of a B-24 Liberator bomber. Later he was sent to Peterson Field, near Colorado Springs, Colo.
Monroe and a group of other officers were sent to Walla Walla, Wash., for 28 hours of celestial navitrainer training, with four hours of actual flying a day, but much studying. He wrote that the sun never showed there. He spent Christmas day flying the navitrainer and ate Christmas dinner at camp. "It did not seem like Christmas," he wrote, "but I guess I was not alone. I want to thank the Christian church for the nice box and handkerchief they sent me. It makes one feel good to think there are others who think of them at this time, anyway."
On January 10, as his combat training was drawing to a close, Lieut. Huck wrote his parents; "You can expect my excess stuff home any day now. Have a clothing showdown inspection some time this week and will be equipped with everything we are short. I flew over Coldwater last Saturday night about 8:30 o'clock, You probably never heard us and you couldn't have seen us as we were flying at 20,000 feet (about four miles high.) We were on our way to Wichita, so I detoured off our course a little at Dodge City so as to come in over Coldwater. My thoughts were with all the fine folks there. From Wichita we went to Nebraska and back to Colorado, a little over 1000 miles without landing.
It took us only about ___hours. Things sure showed up plainly on the ground with the snow as a background, and the full moon, too. The____of the month will be my last day in camp before we head out. ***With all my Love, Monroe.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Huck of Coldwater received the following telegram on Monday from the War Department concerning their son, Second Lieutenant Monroe Huck:"May 22, 1944: Regret to inform you Second Lieutenant George Monroe Huck was, on May 9, slightly injured in action in the European area. You will be advised as reports of condition are received. Dunlop, Acting Adjutant General."
Lieut. Huck who enlisted in the army nearly three and a half years ago, completed his training as a navigator and flew to England last January with his B-24 Liberator crew to begin their share of the bombardment of Fortress Europe.
About a month ago Monroe had completed 20 bombing missions over Germany and the occupied countries and was awarded two oak leaf clusters in recognition of his accomplishments.
It is thought that his injury is a minor one, and his many friends here are wishing for Monroe a rapid recovery.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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