Keith Argraves, Paratrooper: An Account Of The Service Of A Christian Medical Corpsman In The United States Army Paratroops During World War II

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Text originally published in 1946 under the same title.

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Publisher’s Note

Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

KEITH ARGRAVES, PARATROOPER:

An Account of the Service of a Christian Medical Corpsman in the United States Army Paratroops during World War II, with Thrilling Stories of Training, Battles, Imprisonment, Escapes, Guerrilla Warfare, Hunger, Torture, and Faithfulness to God and Man.

BY

GEORGE W. CHAMBERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

DEDICATION 4

INTRODUCTION 5

CHAPTER 1—A REAL PARATROOPER 6

CHAPTER 2—TRAINING FOR ACTION 9

CHAPTER 3—BAPTISM OF FIRE 14

CHAPTER 4—NARROW ESCAPES 18

CHAPTER 5—SUICIDE MISSION 22

CHAPTER 6—PRISONERS OF WAR 27

CHAPTER 7—DEATH STALKS THE CAMP 30

CHAPTER 8—A BREAK FOR FREEDOM 35

CHAPTER 9—FLIGHT! 41

CHAPTER 10—WITH THE GUERRILLAS 47

CHAPTER 11—IN HORROR CAMPS 54

CHAPTER 12—LIBERTY OR DEATH! 59

CHAPTER 13—IN THE SHADOW 65

CHAPTER 14—TESTS OF CHARACTER 70

CHAPTER 15—HOMEWARD BOUND 75

CHAPTER 16—A HAPPY LANDING 79

ILLUSTRATIONS 82

REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 100

DEDICATION

IN APPRECIATION of the loyalty and fellowship of those who shared the dangers and sufferings of our lot as prisoners and fugitives, I dedicate this book to

Daniel and Francis Cole,

Warren Decker,

Mahlon Black, and

Alfred Natassi.

K. A.

KEITH ARGRAVES, PARATROOPER

INTRODUCTION

DURING the past few years the youth have been thrust into the most trying experiences known to the history of our world. The young people of the church have had to bear the brunt of test and conflict along with their fellow youth of every nation. Private Keith Argraves, the hero of this narrative, is only one of approximately 12,000 Seventh-day Adventist youth of North America who gave loyal service to their country while at the same time maintaining their devotion to God and His cause. Their faithfulness under the stress and strain of war has been a great inspiration to their fellow youth and to the church as a whole.

An account such as this must necessarily present many realisms. None of the facts have been toned down. But the story is told without malice, and without any desire to malign or stigmatize any people or group for their wrongdoing. It is recognized that many of the atrocities referred to were perpetrated as a result of Nazi or Fascist philosophies and were not in any way approved by many of the fine people dominated by these influences.

In war many things are done and considered legitimate which at other times would be considered very improper by the persons who do them. In this book, therefore, are narrated some things the deletion of which would destroy to a great extent the interest of the story, and at the same time would make the true picture of the late war incomplete. The use of certain foods and drinks, and indulgence in other things which may not meet our ideals, are referred to for the sake of a complete narrative, and it must be borne in mind that these do not necessarily reflect the sentiments of the author, the hero of the narrative, the publishers, or the Young People’s Department of Missionary Volunteers.

We are in the days spoken of by the Saviour when He said, And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity. Luke 21: 25. Our times are well described by Ellen G. White in these words: Our world is a vast lazar house, a scene of misery that we dare not allow even our thoughts to dwell upon. Did we realize it as it is, the burden would be too terrible. Yet God feels it all. In order to destroy sin and its results He gave His best Beloved, and He has put it in our power, through co-operation with Him, to bring this scene of misery to an end. ‘This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’—Education, pages 263-264.

The providences of God as manifested in His protecting care over His people and especially over those in war service, and in the testimony He has enabled them to bear for Him in these trying years, have brought courage to the church in all lands. And it is hoped that this narrative will be the means of strengthening the faith and deepening the devotion of all who read it. It was with this objective in view that this book was chosen for the Senior Missionary Volunteer Reading Course for the year 1947.

C. LESTER BOND

Washington, D.C., June 10, 1946.

CHAPTER 1—A REAL PARATROOPER

HERE, Argraves, is just what you want!

The speaker, a buddy of Keith Argraves, at Camp Grant, Illinois, held out a newspaper from Rockford. In it was just a short article telling of medical men being accepted into the ranks of the newly formed paratroops, but it added fuel to the flame which had already kindled in the stocky soldier’s heart. On previous occasions Keith and his buddies had talked about the branch of service they wanted to enter to help their Uncle Sam win his global war. Somehow, he had been attracted to the soldiers of the sky, men who drift down out of the blue behind enemy lines. From his early boyhood Keith had been drawn to that which promised adventure, and the paratroops seemed to assure him all that could be desired along this line. Then, too, these hardy ‘troopers wore boots. They were different from the regular soldiers. Besides, there was the consideration of an extra $50.043 a month in pay. Yes, Keith wanted to be a paratrooper.

Yes, sir, that’s what I want! remarked Keith as he took the paper and started for company headquarters. Reaching there, he received permission to see the commanding officer, and soon found himself facing him.

Sir, I have just learned that the paratroopers are taking medics, he said, after going through the introductory formalities. I want to be assigned to that outfit, and I have come to ask your help.

I cannot assign you to the paratroops, Private Argraves, replied the kind officer, but I will do all that I can to help you.

Thank you, sir! Saluting smartly, Keith left headquarters, walking, as it were, on air.

I’m going to make it, he told himself. I’m going to be a medic in the paratroops!

At the close of basic training, the company was lined up for assignment. Keith waited expectantly as the names were read and the men were informed of their respective destinations. At last his name was called!

Private Keith Argraves will report for duty at Barnes General Hospital, Vancouver, Washington, the commander stated.

At Vancouver, Washington! Why, that was just a few miles from his home in Portland, Oregon! That wouldn’t be so bad, but—. Say, that wasn’t what he wanted! He wanted to be a medic in the paratroops, not in a regular army hospital! He was almost indignant.

At the earliest possible moment he got permission to speak to his commander.

Sir, he said, respectfully, but firmly, as his cheeks flushed with the emotional strain, I want to be a medic in the paratroops, not in a hospital.

The commander looked at the husky young soldier. All right, Private Argraves, he said. However, the best I can do for you is to send you to some place close to the paratroop training center. I will try to do that for you.

Thank you, sir, responded the grateful soldier.

Later Keith was assigned to the Fourth Division, Twenty-second Infantry, at Fort Benning, Georgia. Here the paratroopers were in training! This was his big opportunity to get into what he considered the best outfit in Uncle Sam’s army.

He lost no time in attempting to get in. Time after time he went to the main post at Fort Benning. He talked to various commanding officers, but each time he was told that the ranks were full, and that no more men were needed. However, he was persistent in his efforts. Finally, at his sixth visit, he was sent to the dispensary for a physical examination. He passed with flying colors.

You will have to wait until you are called, he was told.

A sergeant from the paratroop personnel must have been impressed by this sturdy young man who was so anxious to become a paratrooper. He said: I will send you to a man who can tell you whether or not you have to just wait. You are in the wrong place. You will have to have another physical examination.

Gladly the young man followed the instructions given by this helpful sergeant. He took and passed the physical examination. Then he filled out and signed the application papers that were needed.

In filling out those papers, Keith revealed something of the strong religious convictions which were to characterize his experience in the stirring months to come. He had been reared by God-fearing parents, members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. One of the distinguishing marks of this body of Christians is that they observe the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath. Keith had been fully persuaded of the biblical soundness of his mother’s faith, and had been baptized as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Before entering the service of his country, he had determined to live up to his conscientious convictions.

Every time he had applied for acceptance into the paratroops he had stated that as an observer of the seventh-day Sabbath he would have to be released from duty on that day. Thus he had been placing a serious obstacle in the way of his acceptance into that branch of the army. This final application was