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In July 2000 I began searching for information about my father's service during World War II. I knew his Army unit and remembered some stories that he told me when I was young. I searched the internet for information about the 31st Infantry Division and quickly found Marion Hess, whose husband served in the the 124th Infantry Regiment of the 31st Infantry Division during World War II; and I found Dr. Thomas M. Deas MD, who was the 124th Infantry Regimental Surgeon during World War II. I learned from Marion that a 31st Infantry Division reunion would be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado on 24 August 2000. I attended the reunion and met Marion, who reminded me of my mother. Marion introduced me to Louis L. 'Lou' Hall, one of the "Boys of F Company" who remembered sharing a foxhole with Dad on Mindanao. Lou looked at me and said, "You look like your Dad."

The next day I drove to Missouri to visit relatives. I found Dad's diary while searching his personal effects at Mom's house in Saint Louis on 29-30 August 2000. I found it tucked inside a brown leather address book and calendar that he carried overseas. He wrote the diary in ink and pencil on loose leaf paper. It must have been difficult to keep the paper dry in the jungles of Mindanao. Dad's father, Michael Philip 'Mike' Webber, was a Corporal in the 49th Company, 5th U.S. Marine Regiment in Europe during World War I. Grandpa Mike kept a war diary in the form of letters and postcards that he sent to loved ones from overseas. I think that Dad was influenced by his father's example.

I transcribed Dad's diary as he wrote it. My additions to his narrative are in square brackets [like this]. I used brown text for comments and quotations, and red italic text for reference links. Click on most pictures for a larger image.

I am indebted to my mother, Jean Webber, who helped me interpret Dad's diary; to Marion Hess for her information about the 124th Infantry Regiment of the 31st Infantry Division; and to Doctor Thomas Malcolm Deas MD, who shared his memories of combat during World War II. Tom Deas and some of his former medics provided invaluable assistance. Tom called his medics "my boys." I was honored to be included by Tom as one of his boys.

Left: Bobby Webber and his older brother Roy Webber in front of Mueller & Son General Store and U.S. Post Office in Rockaway Beach, Missouri about 1937.
Right: Bob Webber on the back porch at 2300 Belleview.
Dad graduated from East St. Louis High School in May 1944. He wanted to join the Army Air Corps and become a pilot like his older brother Roy, but was not accepted. He was drafted into the Army on 28 November 1944 and inprocessed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He completed Infantry Basic Training at Camp Joseph T. Robinson near Little Rock, Arkansas in March 1945.
Below (left to right): Dad's High School graduation portrait in May 1944, and his official Army photograph in March 1945, with the caption he wrote on the back (Photos Bob Webber):

Dad told me that when he said goodbye to his family in March 1945, his parents Mike and Irene did not expect to see him again. He was assigned to Company O, 2d Replacement Regiment at Fort Ord, California. From there he and his cohort shipped out of San Francisco as replacements for units already engaged in combat in the Pacific.

Paul M. Webber
30 August 2000

Reunion: WWII Medics of the 124th Infantry Regiment

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