William M. Riedesel

I was drafted in 1940 at the age of 26, My name was drawn out of the first 1000 that President Roosevelt personally called to service - Group #758. I received the official letter 30 days later. in it I was told to conclude my personal business and get ready to serve the United States in time of war. I did ask for a 30 day extension, which was granted. I reported to the army Air Corp enlistment station in Denver to see what openings were available at Lowry Air Force Base. There was ONE in the medical department at the base hospital. I returned home to Kirk and consulted our family's doctor, Dr. Blanchard. He told me in no uncertain terms that this was a great opportunity and advised me to accept this posting. If I had not done so. I would have been assigned to the infantry and immediately shipped overseas. My enlistment date is January 31, 1941. I started my training in surgical techniques. On July 1, 1942 I was transferred to Kearns, Utah to a new Army Air Corp Replacement Depot. I was in charge of the surgical detachment at the station's hospital and promoted to 1st Sergeant. I remained there in service until November 23, 1945 when I received my honorable discharge. I returned to Denver to make my life with my wife Betty (who upon fearing that I would be shipped overseas, enlisted and served six months in the WAAC) and to start a family. in 1964, during the Cuban Missiles Crisis, I joined the Colorado State Guard at the rank of Lt. Colonel.