Veterans Day & The U.S. Army In Berlin

Today is Veterans Day, and I would like to take a moment to say thank you to all the veterans out there, as well as the men and women who are currently serving.

My dad was a veteran and served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960.  He was stationed at McNair Barracks, in Berlin, Germany.  My mom applied for a job with the Army's Special Services Division, and happened to be sent to McNair to work in it's service club, as a recreation director.  That is how my parents met.

Both of my parents took many photos during their time in Berlin.  My dad was already an amateur photographer, and he ended up taking some official photographs for the base.  I thought I would share just some of the many photographs they took.  I'm posting about a dozen and a half photos today, but as time goes on, I will continue to add more photos to this post (instead of creating new posts on the same subject).  So if anyone is interested, you can bookmark this page and check back later for updates.

The tents and equipment seen in these first two photos, were set up for a "field inspection."

Some of the photos are labeled on the back, but others are not, so I don't know who some of the people are.  Maybe someone out there will recognize them, but I know that is probably a long shot.  Based on the name patch on the chest, and the insignia on the sleeve, we know that the soldier on the left is Sergeant Bell.

I have been informed that this next image was taken in the Battle Group Headquarters, and most likely shows an awards ceremony taking place.

These next two photos were taken in the personnel section of McNair Barracks.

The Private First Class in the photo above and below, was a very good friend of my father's.

An unknown Pfc., wearing an Honor Guard uniform:

Pvt. Robert E. Lyons:

Pfc. Fitzgerald:

Pfc. Louis A. Tomich:

Pvt. Donald Mutone:

Pvt. Foster D. Button:

Pfc. Reinhard:

That might actually be my dad on the left, in this next photo.  I'm not completely sure, but it looks like it could be him.  Or, he could have been the one who took this photograph.

I should probably give a brief history of the base, itself.  McNair Barracks opened in 1945, in a former radio and television manufacturer's headquarters and factory.  The base was created as a part of the American occupation of Germany, following World War II.  The base closed in 1994, almost 50 years later.  Today, it is a multi-use property.  Part of the barracks have been converted into upscale apartments known as Monroe Park (named after actress, Marilyn Monroe).  Another part of the property has been converted into a shopping center.

The base had it's own chapel, known as McNair Chapel.

 

The chapel is still standing, and is now known as Mavuno Church.  This is what it looks like, today.

Across the street from the chapel, was the All American Club, where my mom worked as a recreation director.  This was where the off-duty servicemen could go for free entertainment and recreation, without having to go into the city.

This card lists some of the services and activities available at the service club.

To wrap up this post (for now), we have a photo of my mom with a group of soldiers, posing in front of the All American Club's Christmas tree.  This one was dated, "1959."

Thank you again, to all of our veterans and servicepeople!

****POST UPDATE****

Okay, I hadn't even published this post yet, but I decided to go ahead and add a few more photos to it.

This one was taken near the entrance to the All American Club (which would be just to the right, out of frame), and looking towards the gate guards at the "rear gate" of the base.

This one was taken just outside the door of the All American Club, looking across the street.  McNair Chapel would be just to the right, and out of frame.

Here's another shot of the All American Club, but this one includes my mom standing outside the entrance.  This would be from 1959 or 1960.

And here's an interior shot of the club's lounge.  This one was labeled on the back, "Sergeant's Coffee Call at the All American Service Club's lounge."

Another shot of the All American Club, showing it's huge interior:

This one was labeled on the back, "McKinley Millet and Sam Tanksley at the All American Service Club - 1960."  It doesn't give the month, but from the shamrock decorations, I think it's safe to assume that it was taken in March.  I have a program from the All American Club's "All Army Entertainment Contest of 1960," and both gentlemen are listed as contestants.  Pfc. Millet sang a vocal solo, and Pfc. Tanksley played the piano in a solo number, as well as in a group instrumental number.  I believe McKinley Millet was the pianist, bassist, singer, and songwriter, who founded the rhythm and blues group, Li'l Millet and His Creoles.

And last but not least, a photo of my dad with his camera:

**** POST UPDATE - 12-2-24 ****

Here are a few more shots of some of the soldiers seen above.

This is the unknown Pfc. we saw earlier, wearing an honor guard uniform.   Now, he is wearing the hat which he was previously holding under his arm.

Here's another shot of Pvt. Foster D. Button, wearing civilian clothes (civvies) instead of his uniform.  Note the monogrammed cuff link displaying the letter, "F."

This is a closeup of that first Pvt., who we saw in the base's personnel section.

We saw these two men earlier, posing with "Sergeant Bell" in an indoor shot.

Here are four more shots of Pvt. Donald Mutone.

 

 

And here are three more shots of Pvt. Robert E. Lyons.

In this last pic, he now has a stripe on his sleeve, making him Private First Class Lyons.