End of my War I go Home

Back to the States and to Home

Everyone who had not gotten to go back was sent this time. For me this meant Berger, Bormann, Dyer, Cornwall among others.
We came back through the Fleet Marine Force Headquarters in Pearl Harbor. I was glad to see Honolulu again with its familiar Dole Pineapple water tower and Diamondhead.
Then we came back to San Diego. As we were being transported from the ship to the Marine Corps base, platoon Sergeant Cornwall stuck his hand through the opening of a sidewall of a truck and vaulted over. He had a large Marine Corps Ring which caught and pulled his finger along with a tendon about two feet long out of his arm. I have never worn a large ring since.
I said goodbye to Berger. Borman and I rode a train to El Paso together. We parted in a restaurant there. Borman said “So long, Jack, See you next war!” I found out much later that he had stayed in the Corps and had been the Sergeant Major at the San Diego Marine Base before he retired.
I came home to a devoted family, received a heroes welcome, wore dress blues around for a month. During that time the atomic bombs had been dropped. I reported to the Naval Operating base at Alexandria, La. for duty. “Do you want to get out of the Marine Corps, Mr. Langston?” I said yes and 30 days later my war was over. The last thing that happened was as I was being taken in a Jeep by a corporal to my train and just as we were going through the base gates, the corporal asked me what time it was. I looked at my watch and told him. He said, “I’ll take that watch.” My last treasure, my 17 jewel Hamilton watch was taken from me. I got home with both of my dogtags!

END OF MY WAR