Fort Jackson and Columbia, S.C. in 1953

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As my father tells in his narrative in Where Memories Meet — Reclaiming my father after Alzheimer’s, he was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, when he was first drafted into the army. While he was away from home serving in the US Military, he sent photographs back to my mother.

Leather photo albumShe inserted them into a leather photo album that Dad had hand-tooled and sent to her.

Working on leather purseI’m not sure exactly when this photo was taken, or where, but it shows my father working on a leather purse to send home to my mother.

Here are some photographs from Dad’s time in Columbia, South Carolina: at Fort Jackson, in town, and on a trip to Myrtle Beach. Mouse over a photo to see the caption Dad wrote on the back. Click on a photo to see a larger version, and a manual slideshow.

Downtown Columbia, S.C. – 1953
“A picture of most of our company street. The Orderly Room is on the left. The buildings on the right are barracks.”
“The Day Room and the place where we mail our letters – the little slot in the side of the building.”
“The chapel.”
“I took this one day at noon. That is how we always leave our gear aat noon or when we go to class.”
“Some of the guys getting ready for inspection.”
“The gear displayed for inspection.”
“This is my equipment that we had to carry most of the time. I took it Sunday when we had inspection.”
“At parade rest.”
“Boyd Shaner cleaning his rifle in bivouac. It is just in front of our tent, but you can’t see it.”
“Me in the same place as the one of Shaner, but he caught the toilet in this picture.” (In the background.)
“This is just a mess.”
“Left to right: Robinett, Sloop, Piazza, and Schilleo.”
“A bunch of guys I live with. Next to me in front is Retano, Shoemaker, and Van Dyke. Schaner is standing behind.”
“Some more of the guys. Scheffer is the tall one. He sleeps right above me.”
“Me in a cannonball at a swimming pool in Columbia, S.C.”
“Fishing at the end of the pier. Myrtle Beach, S.C., June 12, 1953.”
“The Atlantic Ocean. Myrtle Beach, June 13, 1953.”
“We sure had fun when this was taken.” Summer of 1953 at Fort Jackson, S.C.
“That statue sure does look big.” My mother on her visit to Fort Jackson to see my father.
“You on the capital steps, Columbia, S.C.”
“The capital in S.C.”

~~~~~

8 thoughts on “Fort Jackson and Columbia, S.C. in 1953”

    1. CMSmith Post author

      I’m glad you enjoyed them, Patti. I’m a lot more interested at his old photographs now than I had been when I was younger, and he could have enjoyed my interest. Sad to say. He was good with his hands, and he built a life out of that in the tool and die business.

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  3. Sue Dreamwalker

    How beautiful is this, and how very talented was your Dad with his amazing leather work.. such skill..

    And I loved all of the photo’s.. wonderful collection to keep with all the rest of your lovely memories.. xxxx Hugs Sue xxx

    Reply ↓

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