Drafted!


On December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, Milton "Mel" Janis was roping at Rivermont Ranch in House Springs, Missouri. Horses were his life, and he had no interest in going to war. He had hoped for a deferment, but along with many others, he was drafted for military service. On December 8, 1941, he was told by the Festus, Missouri draft board that he was to report to Jefferson Barracks on January 15, 1942 so that he could be inducted into the U.S. Army. He was 22 years old. 

On January 21, 1942, he was inducted into the Army and sent to Fort Riley, Kansas. The picture above was taken just a few days before.

 

The following are letters he sent to his dad (Lawrence), grandma (Julia), aunt (Marie), and uncle (Clarence) from 1942 through 1945. He often signed them "Brown Jug," but unfortunately the origin of that nickname is lost. He called his Uncle Clarence "the dude" and he and Marie would spell each other's names backwards.




Comments

  1. Mel OakesDecember 26, 2023 at 6:54 PM

    These letters are a treasure for anyone connected in any way to this Trucking Unit. They also contribute to the history of these often under appreciated units. Mel writes well and his two letters chronicling the detailed history of the unit are not to be missed.

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Discharged! On November 19, 1945, Mel Janis was discharged from the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks. He kept journals during his last 11 years, and many years on December 7 he'd mention Pearl Harbor Day, on December 8 he'd mention that he was drafted that day, and on November 19 (or thereabouts) he'd mention that he was discharged that day. Sometimes he’d also mention D-Day. On November 19, 1996, he wrote, “51 years ago today I was discharged from the Army. Floyd Mercer of Dubach, Louisiana called to remind me of it. We had a good talk. Then I called Gerald Stork in Napoleon, MO. All three of us were discharged from Jefferson Barracks Nov. 19, 1945. That was a long time ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I had many good friends in the Army.”   Here are other entries from his journals that mention his time in the Army:   November 19, 1987: 42 years ago today I was discharged from the U.S. Army. Gerald Stork called to remind me of it. A good friend.   June 3, 1988:
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