GI TATOOED FROM HEAD TO FOOT
TOLD INFAMOUS GANGSTERS OFF WHEN HE TATOOED THEM Sgt. Thomas Stephen of a Depot repair unit is one GI who seems to be out of the pages of Ripley's "Believe It or Not." Tom is one of the few civilized persons in this world who is completely tatooed from head to foot, front and back. He probably is the only GI on the Depot who has already been to Japan. And he must be the only one who ordered the mighty gangsters John Dillinger and "Pretty Boy" Floyd about and lives to tell the tale. Then to top everything, Tom has led a varied and colorful life under the big top. Tom got himself completely tatooed about n ine years ago. His favorite is a monstrous eagle and snake in mortal combat which covers a large portion of his back. At the time, he was apprentice to Bert graham of St. Louis, whom Stephen calls the best tatooer in the business. With Graham, Tom made a tour of the Americas and the South Sea Islands to get new ideas on tatooing. Their quest led them to Yokohama, Japan. Tom has a good recollection of the place and hopes he'll be paying a return visit, preferably soon. It was while Tom was with Graham that at separate intervals both Dillinger and Floyd came to have tatooing. They wanted things their own way but they were quickly put in their places and were meek enough in complying with instructions. Floyed had a Red Cross nurse tatooed on, similar to the one Tom has on his left arm. When Floyed was sent up for a stretch, two of the prison guards, who admired the impression, came to have the same picture put on them. Dillinger had "Good Luck and Best Wishes" inscribed but that did not save him from a gory death sometime later. Tom has been in circus and carnival business most of his life, getting the taste from his folks who were old circus people. Notwithstanding his uniqueness, Tom refuses to make a spectacle of himself but prefers "barking" or the advertising end. "Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus has my job waiting for me when I get back." |
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Upper picture: Pvt. Philip D. Adair (left) and Cpl. Willis S. Wagner (right) taking a moment's break to have their photo snapped in the finishing department where the Indians are sanding desks and stools.
Lower picture: Some of the Indian carpenters building boxes. Note the broad grins coming out at having their picture taken. The noise here shakes dandruff from your hair. |
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ROVING REPORTER
We have heard many GIs tell of their experiences and the things they have seen. The Inquiring Reporter thought you might be interested so he asked the fellows, "What particular sight and/or incident has impressed you most since leaving the states?"
CPL. JAMES BARR, STOCK CONTROL - I don't know whether one would call it interesting or shocking but I shall never forget Bizerte. Our ship stopped there on the way to North Africa; this was shortly after the Allies ran Rommel out. I doubt if ever again I will see such total destruction. Everything was destroyed, buildinggs, streets and docks and not a civilian was to be seen. It was really the first time I realized the havoc war brings.
PFC. THOMAS BARBEE, STOCK RECORDS - When I first arrived here I had the opportunity of seeing the Taj Mahal. It is truly a wondrous sight, particularly on a bright moonlight night. I will never forget it. The most impressive incident that has occurred to me though, I know I will forget. It was that donation Congress gave me a couple of months back... a Pfc. stripe.
SGT. JOE McKINLEY, STOCK RECORDS - I had the opportunity of flying here from the states. We stopped at many intersting places including South America, African Gold Coast and Ascension Island. I mention the latter because it was one of the thrills of my life to land on that little pinpoint in the ocean. After arriving in India the most interesting spectacle I have seen is the famous Taj Mahal. Any soldier that hasn't seen this masterpiece has missed a lot.
SGT. RICHARD CHARLES, STOCK RECORDS - I haven't been in India a great length of time and expect to get around a little more in the future. The most impressive sight I have seen occured on the trip across the Pacific when after many days at sea we entered the picturesque harbor of Hobart, Tasmania. Those who have seen this place will agree that it rivals any harbor in the world for beauty. We were allowed of the ship at this spot and the people turned the town over to the GIs for an entire day and night. They closed the town restaurants and bars to themselves and let the GIs go.
CPL. ROBERT CONKLIN, STOCK RECORDS - The entering of the harbor of Calcutta after 38 days was quite an incident. There is something about the East that seems to crawl into you after a few hours of witnessing it even from a boat deck. It was at this vantage point that I received the shock of my life; the unforeseen spectacle of thousands of people milling about the docks and boats performing tasks. It was like seeing ants at work. Also I will remember that first inhale I took in the harbor... Wow... and it wasn't Shalimar either.
CPL. BERNARD GROSS, STOCK RECORDS - I was born and raised in Czechoslovakia and had the opportunity of traveling throughout Europe where I saw many interesting things. I was attending the University of Prague when Hitler started rampaging across the continent. It was then that I left for the United States where I became an American citizen. When America entered the war I joined the Army and this led to the most impressive incident of my life, the opportunity to go overseas as an American soldier. |