Buster Edmonds - U.S. Army 1944-46

Buster Edmonds served in the U.S. Army from 1944 - 1946. Edmonds volunteered to keep his younger brother, Wilson, from being drafted. After basic training, Edmonds reported to Camp Pickett and from there was sent to Naples, Italy. Edmonds remembers the long trip across the Atlantic, where the boat took "manuevers" to avoid contact with Germany U-boats. Upon arrival in Italy, Edmonds sat outside in the rain over a drainage ditch eating corned beef, cabbage, pinto beans and a cup of coffee. "Best meal I ever ate. As muddy as it was, I was off the ocean and back on dry land.", he said after the journey from the states.

Then Edmonds started training for the 10th Mountain Division. They were to spearhead the spring offensive in Italy against the Germans in the "PO" Vally. The 10th Mountain Division was a part of the 5th Army under the command of Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark. The Germans surrendered before Edmonds reached the front line.

After the war, Edmonds was assigned to the 3195th Signal Service Company and stayed as part of the occupying force for an additional year. He achieved the rank of T4 Sgt. and arrived back in July 1946.