World War II vets visit Gunter museum

World War II veterans John Oliver (left) and Eldon McKemy reminisce about their days in the military as they look at the Enlisted Heritage Hall museum’s Korean War barracks exhibit. In honor of their military service, the gentlemen, both in their 90s, were given a VIP tour of the museum located at Gunter’s Enlisted Heritage Research Institute on April 27. (Air Force photo/Carl Bergquist)

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World War II vets visit Gunter museum

Published May 11, 2010
By Carl Bergquist
Carl Bergquist

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- "I never dreamed there was anything like this at Gunter," was the reaction of John Oliver to his tour of the Enlisted Heritage Hall museum at Gunter Annex.

As a reward for their many years of service, World War II veterans Mr. Oliver, 90, and Eldon McKemy, 94, received an April 27 VIP tour of the museum from EHH head volunteer Norman "Hoot" Gibson. It was the first visit to the museum for both men, and Mr. McKemy described EHH as "amazing."

Following Army service during the war, Mr. Oliver left active duty status and joined the Army National Guard. He was later called up for service in Korea, then spent 26 years in the ARNG, retiring in 1979. Mr. McKemy entered Army service in 1939 as a paratrooper, joined the Army Air Corps during World War II and retired from the Air Force in 1961.

"That was some tour," Mr. Oliver said of being escorted through EHH. "There are so many great displays that it is hard to pick favorites. But some of the weapons with all that ammunition and the room dedicated to the Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force really struck me."

Mr. McKemy said the missile and C-130 transport exhibits were his favorites, but he also enjoyed looking at all the different uniforms.

"Things have really changed over the years when it comes to uniforms," he said. "I liked seeing that, but everything they have in here is really interesting."

Mr. Oliver said he was involved in the Normandy Invasion during World War II and was primarily assigned to carry supplies to troops and take wounded military members back to hospitals. He said he found military life "very interesting" and never experienced "a day of being uncomfortable" while in uniform. He said he would "do it all again in a minute."

Mr. McKemy said he too was involved in supply during World War II and the Korean War, and had a "harrowing experience" in Korea.

"At least it was harrowing to me," he said. "I had a commander tell me one day, 'Come with me.' We went out to the flight line, boarded a small aircraft, took off, and then the commander said, 'You fly the plane for awhile so I can do some paperwork.' I flew the plane for awhile, but the problem was that not only was I not a pilot, but I had never had any kind of flying training."

Mr. McKemy said another incident in Korea got a little scary. During an attack on the base where he was located, two 500-pound bombs landed just outside his barracks, and that tended to "rattle the building a bit and get our attention."

Both men said they had no idea EHH existed until their visit and were very impressed with the caliber of the museum.

For those wishing to visit EHH, the museum is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.