January 3, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero prepares to ship out – Part 3 – Last visit with Marilyn
Well done my good and faithful servant
January 3, 2024
My hero would have turned 99 today
January 4, 2024January 3, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero prepares to ship out – Part 3 – Last visit with Marilyn
In the end, Phil decided to see Marilyn instead of visiting his parents in Memphis. He left Fort Bragg for Des Moines on January 3 for a week-long furlough with his girlfriend.
After arriving by military air transport, Phil celebrated his nineteenth birthday with Marilyn on January 4.
While thoroughly enjoying a delightful time with her, a telegram arrived at her parents’ home that shocked Phil.
After a year of training with the 326th Glider Infantry, he was ordered to report to Fort Meade, Maryland, on January 10, 1944.
What the hell are they doing with me now? he thought. Guess I won’t know until I get there.
After a couple of calls, he learned Fort Meade was the largest of the Army Ground Forces Replacement Depots—with a capacity for 18,000 replacements. There was a special need for men with his training as a demolition officer. He now knew he was shipping out to the European Theater of Operations.
At the Des Moines Union Station, 2nd Lieutenant Philip Larimore swept Marilyn Fountain into his arms for a final goodbye kiss. He wondered if he would ever see her again.[1]
[1] Larimore, At First Light,
Army Ground Forces Replacement Depot #1— (the) depots … organized at Fort Meade, Md., … with … (capacity) for 18,000 … replacements. … Beginning operations in August 1943, they certified that oversees replacements met medical requirements, had done qualification firing of their primary weapons, and were otherwise qualified for overseas duty. … The depots also issued clothing and equipment as needed, gave inoculations, took blood types, and otherwise process to the men and their charge. A training program was instituted at each depot to prevent deterioration and discipline, morale, and physical condition and to prepare men psychologically for overseas duty. So trying had to be flexible, since men remained in the depots for variable in unpredictable lengths of time, subject to shipment on seventy-two hours’ notice from four commanders.[2]
[2] Robert R. Palmer. The procurement and training of ground combat troops. Page 187.
The time we spent at Fort Meade wasn’t too bad. The food, shows, and entertainment were good, and while at one of the USO dances, I met a girl from Virginia and we spent the evening dancing.[3]
[3] Hartstern, 14.
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