Local resident helped bring relief to those ravaged by war

June 2, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

During his years of service as a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Force, Greenwood resident Larry Jackson safely guided his B-17 crew through perilous bombing missions over German-occupied Europe.
But the missions that meant the most to Jackson didn’t involve dropping bombs on the enemy – they were the missions on which he dropped food and supplies to the civilians who had been ravaged by the war’s devastating effects.
Jackson, born in Florence in 1925, was one of six children. He and his twin brother, Rhett, were nearly 20 years younger than their oldest brother, but Jackson said he and his siblings were still very close.
Jackson was just 16 when the Pearl Harbor attacks prompted the U.S. to enter the war. At such a young age, he said he didn’t fully realize the gravity of the situation.
“I can remember walking home from (a sandwich shop) with my twin brother after hearing the news, and we were joking about how quickly the war would be over,” Jackson, now 80, said. “We didn’t think the war would last a year.”
As the draft began to pull some of his older friends and classmates into the military, Jackson said he became more aware that his country would likely call on him to serve.
“We all knew we were going into service. I was almost seventeen, so I knew I had a year, but I was ready to go,” Jackson said. “Everybody took it as a given that their country needed them.”
Because he was too young to volunteer or be drafted, Jackson began studying at Wofford College after graduation. As a freshman, Jackson joined the ROTC on campus, something he said was a “tradition in the family.”
During the year, Jackson and his twin brother, who was studying at Clemson University, completed and passed a series of tests to enter the Navy’s V-12 officer training program. In the program, the Navy gave young men the opportunity to complete college – in uniform – to earn an engineering degree, before entering military training or combat.
But Jackson decided he didn’t want to spend his time in the war sailing on the sea.
He wanted to be in the air.
In the summer of 1943, after passing the Air Force’s entrance exam, Jackson was inducted into service at Fort Jackson.
Once he completed basic training in Gulfport, Miss., he was sent to a college training detachment at Colby College in Maine.
“The college training detachment was used partly because the pipeline was full, and they were parking us for a while,” he said, laughing.
Each day, the cadets had classes similar to those Jackson had taken as a freshman at Wofford, and he said they were also given the opportunity to fly a few hours in small training planes.
After a month of school at Colby, Jackson was ordered to report to a classification center in Tennessee for three weeks of psychological and physical tests. The Air Force used the tests to determine if the troops were better suited to be pilots, navigators or bombardiers. When the testing was complete, Jackson’s score indicated he would be a navigator.
“Everybody wanted to be a pilot,” he said. “But I wasn’t displeased to get navigator. I thought it would be interesting.”
With his new classification, Jackson received a new uniform and rank as a cadet in the Air Force.
In June of 1944, Jackson entered navigators school in Monroe, La., where he began studying the many forms of flight navigation he would use during service, including dead reckoning, radio and pilotage navigation.
“The hardest was celestial navigation, which was navigating by using the stars. It was just like what they used on a naval ship, but it was much harder because, in an airplane, you are moving much faster.”
The young navigators were placed on planes to practice with pilots who were also in training, and Jackson said the flights were fun but also intense.
“The pilots always wondered if we knew what we were doing,” he said, laughing. “We were all young – we were just boys.”
After four months of training, Jackson graduated from the program as a second lieutenant, and he was sent to Avon Park, Fla., to meet the nine other men who would make up his B-17 flight crew.
“The B-17 was a beautiful airplane, and it was much easier to fly (than the B-24). It was much more stable, and the navigator had a more comfortable position,” he said.
In February of 1945, practice was over for Jackson’s crew. It was time for the men to head overseas, and the 19-year-old navigator’s first real test was to guide his crew safely to New Jersey’s Fort Dix.
“It had snowed that day, and the radio was out at Fort Dix. It was night when we landed, I wasn’t completely sure we were at Fort Dix. When the ground crew came up to the plane, I asked one of them if we were at Fort Dix. He asked me why I didn’t just ask the navigator, and I told him I was the navigator,” he said, laughing. “I never confessed that to the crew.”
After a few more stops along the eastern coast of the U.S. and Canada, the men landed in Wales on Feb. 7, 1945. It was Jackson’s 20th birthday. A few days later, Jackson arrived at a base in Knettishall, England, where he joined the 388th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force.
“The base was a city in itself. When you landed at that base, you had your entire support system there,” he said of Knettishall.
By 1945, the war was drawing to a close in Europe, as Allied forces gained control of German troops.
But Jackson said tensions were still high among the men who continued to fly raids over enemy-occupied cities. “We seldom had a raid that at least one plane wasn’t lost, but it wasn’t as rough as it was in 1943 or 1944. Most of our problems were with anti-aircraft fire,” he said, adding that five planes were shot down during one mission over Munich in April. “You just didn’t talk about it very much when it happened. If a crew was lost, by sundown that day, an orderly would have had their stuff packed up and moved out of the barracks. People didn’t dwell on it. They felt it, but they didn’t talk about it.”
During his 25 missions, Jackson said the tensest part of every flight was the last 30 miles to a target. At that point, control of the plane was turned over to the bombardier, and the men entered a “straight and level” path to the target.
“It left you very vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire,” he said. “When the flack exploded near you, it was just a very muffled sound - but if a shell exploded under you, you could feel it lift the plane up.”
The danger was so great, Jackson’s pilot chose to abort six of their missions, meaning the men only got credit for 19 of their 25 raids.
“That was really more dangerous than the mission because it left you separated from the group. You lost your security when you came home alone,” he said.
In April, Jackson’s crew was recruited to help in a mission over Holland.
But on this mission, the men weren’t carrying bombs – they were carrying food and supplies.
“The Germans had broken the dykes in Holland, and the water had flooded their farms. We filled our bomb bays with food and dropped it on fields outside of Rotterdam. We flew at a very low altitude, and you could see thousands of people waiting to go out into the fields to get the food,” he said. “They had written with white-washed rocks, ‘Thank you, boys.’ It was very moving. Those were the best missions I flew.”
When the Allies declared victory in Europe that May, Jackson said the mood at the base was “jubilant.”
“The base commander announced we had been restricted to the base. He said that London had gone crazy, and they didn’t want any more troops there,” he said.
Jackson flew home from Europe on July 4, 1945. He was slated to begin service in the Pacific, where the war had yet to end.
But before his train could make it to his base in South Dakota, the Japanese surrendered, bringing World War II to a close.
After the war, Jackson earned a degree in history from Wofford, and spent most of his career in the education field at schools around the nation and world. He eventually found his way to Lander University, where he was president of the school from 1973 to 1992.
“I don’t feel like I made a mistake in serving,” he said. “It’s something I’m glad I did.”

Opinion

Greenwood native could be chosen House leader

June 2, 2005

The Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives pretty much controls things in that body. Whoever is in the position is, therefore, a wielder of political power. He or she can exert influence on legislation that affects the lives not only of every South Carolinian today, but of our children and grandchildren.
That makes it extremely important for the people of this state for the Speaker to be a person who can get things done while dealing with every kind of political personality known to government. That takes personal strength, of personality and stamina, as well as moral character, dedication and not a little measure of diplomacy.
Rep. David Wilkins, R-Greenville, has been all those things, but he’s leaving the Speaker’s chair to be U. S. ambassador to Canada. That means, of course, that House members will be electing a new leader.

ONE DEMOCRAT, REP. DOUG Jennings of Bennettsville wants the job, but that’s not likely to happen. It will be a Republican. Republicans, after all, hold the majority in the House. Two of them are still in the race.
One of them, Jim Harrison, is a native of Greenwood. Harrison represents Richland County and is chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He has a good chance of winning, but it won’t be easy. He had two Republican opponents, but one, Speaker Pro Tempore Doug Smith of Spartanburg, dropped out Wednesday. The other, Rep. Bobby Harrell, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, has strong support. Where Harrell is from, though, could, and should, be a definite factor in Harrison’s favor. Harrell represents Charleston.

ORDINARILY, THAT WOULDN’T matter much. Now, though, when the Senate is led by President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell and the governor’s office is held by Mark Sanford, both of Charleston, having a House Speaker from Charleston could be a turn-off for many members. Some observers, in fact, are already referring to such a combination as the Charleston Ring, and not in favorable terms.
Of course, there is talk of a rift between Sanford and Harrell, which adds interest. Regardless, a wise decision, it seems, would be Harrison. He’s well liked. He knows his way around. And, he’s a bridge-builder. The divisive nature of politics today, then, could be a plus for Harrison. He’s at least in the middle ….. of the state, that is. That, too, should be a plus.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Jeremy G. Coleman

LAURENS — Jeremy Glenn Coleman, 23, of 400 Sweetgum St., died Tuesday, May 31, 2005 in Greenwood. Born in Greenwood, he was a son of Stan A. and Vicki Hill Coleman. He was a building contractor and a member of the National Builders Association and Laurens First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his parents of the home; a sister, Melody Coleman of the home; maternal grandmother, Nellie W. Hill of Laurens; paternal grandparents, Ken and Martha Coleman of Whitmire; and paternal great-grandparents, Clara Hill of Laurens and Helen Coleman of Ware Shoals.
Memorial services are 11 a.m. Friday at Laurens First Baptist Church, conducted by Dr. Bev T. Kennedy Jr. and Tommy Cox.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 600 N. Main St., Suite 2, Greer, SC 29650.
Kennedy Mortuary is in charge.

Clyde M. Cunningham

WATERLOO — Clyde M. Cunningham, 82, of 137 Cunningham Circle, died Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at his home.
Born in Waterloo, he was a son of the late Willie and Martha Foggie Cunningham. He was a member of Laurel Hill Baptist Church. He attended Morehouse College and retired from North Carolina Mutual.
Survivors include a son, Rodmann Jones of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two daughters, Sandra M. Brew of Lynchburg, Va., and Claudia Marie Boyd-Johnson of Baltimore; a brother, Frank Cunningham of Waterloo; two sisters, Marie C. Taylor of Waterloo and Jonelle Poole of Winston-Salem, N.C.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a sister Marie Taylor, 125 Cunningham Circle.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Henry J. Johnson

ANDERSON — Henry Jackson Johnson, 91, of 419 E. Orr St., husband of Martha Lois Johnson, died Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at Anderson Area Medical Center.
Born in Anderson, he was a son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Lula Bishop Johnson. He was a retired salesman and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Henry J. Johnson Jr. of Greenwood and James F. Johnson of Spartanburg; a daughter, Patricia Abrilz of Anderson; two sisters, Mary Babb and Helen Robinson, both of Anderson; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, conducted by Father James Dubrouillet. Burial is in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Visitation is 6-7 tonight at Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, with a wake at 7.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 285, Anderson, SC 29622 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1303 McLees Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, is in charge.

Trudy Peurifoy

GREENWOOD – Miriam McKee “Trudy” Peurifoy, 80, of 1617 Ninety Six Highway, beloved wife of the Reverend Harvey O. Peurifoy, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood.
She was born November 30, 1924 in Ware Shoals to the late Charles B. and Carrie McCarley McKee. She was a graduate of James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, the Greer College of Beauty Culture in Greer and attended the University of South Carolina, Salkehatchie Branch, in Allendale. She was an assistant teacher in the Allendale public schools and briefly taught cosmetology at the Vocational School in Allendale.
Trudy loved music and was a member of the various choirs where her husband was pastor. She was a member of Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, Greenwood.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Barry Brooks Peurifoy.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home; are three sons and daughters-in-law, O. Wayne and Sarah Peurifoy of Salisbury, NC, Keith and Gail Peurifoy of Inman and Charles and Mary Beth Peurifoy of Clemson; nine grandchildren, Barry Brooks Peurifoy, Walter K. Peurifoy, Jr., Mark Peurifoy, Charles Peurifoy, Jr., Tommy Peurifoy, Tammy Marshall, Patricia Reynolds, Joanna Peurifoy and Sarah E. Peurifoy; a brother, Clyde McKee of Chester; several great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, off the Ninety Six Highway on Lebanon Church Road, with the Rev. Sandra Smith King, Dr. Taylor Campbell and the Rev. Carol Peppers-Wray officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Barry Brooks Peurifoy, Mark Wayne Peurifoy, Charles Ray Peurifoy, Jr., Thomas Edward Peurifoy, Van Johnson, Steve Johnson, Jimmy Johnson and Ronald Peurifoy.
Honorary escort will be the members of Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. on Friday.
The family is at the home.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, 104 Lebanon Church Road, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

James R. Waldrup

HODGES — James Russell “Grip” Waldrup, 43, of 1025 Flatwood Road, died Saturday, May 28, 2005 in Hodges.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late James “Bus” and Lucille Belcher Waldrup. He attended Greenwood County public schools, was employed with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and was a member of the Black Knights Motorcycle Club.
Survivors include his wife, Reba Shell Waldrup of Ware Shoals; a son, Anxaviar “Pippy” Waldrup of Ware Shoals; a daughter, Tamiqua Spearman of Hodges; two stepdaughters, Stephanie Keller and Derricka “Dee” Stewart, both of Ware Shoals; four sisters, Gloria Jean Boozer, Terry Ann Dial, Mary Ann Waldrup and Sheila Marie Waldrup, all of Hodges; three brothers, Curtis Waldrup, Michael Waldrup and Clarence Belcher, all of Greenwood; and a grandson.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Friday at Mars Hill Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. Tommy Sanford, Michael Butler, David Morton, Joseph Caldwell, Ulysses Park and Bishop Emanuel Spearman. The body will be placed in the church at 12:30. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Victor Anderson, Henry Shell, Roosevelt Dial, Johnny Bowman, Eddie Sanders and Darryl McGrier. Flower bearers are Shenikra Shell, Je’Monica Shell and Calandra Cobb.
Honorary escorts are S.C. Department of Transportation associates.
The family is at the home of his wife, Reba Waldrup, 14-A Fleming St., Ware Shoals, and the home of a sister Terry Dial, 1023 Flatwood Road, Hodges.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Bob Winton

McCORMICK — Robert Keith “Bob” Winton, 80, widower of Gladys Holsonback Winton, died Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at McCormick Health Care Center.
Born in Sacramento, Calif., he was a son of the late Harry and Maida Thrower Winton. He was retired from the restaurant business and a World War II Navy veteran. He was a member of Republican United Methodist Church.
Survivors include four stepdaughters, Lenora Clark of Elberton, Ga., Linda Cochran of Texas, Carylon Martin and Charlotte Nelms, both of Virginia; two sisters, Sheila Hatch of Texas and Linda Lendahl of California; and several step-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Republican United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 456, McCormick, SC 29835.
Harley Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Jessie Lee Rosser in Wednesday’s paper, there was an error in the information provided to The Index-Journal. One of the surviving sisters is Rachel Etheredge.