After discharge from the US Navy on 27 Jun 1946, Jim joined the US Army on 13 Sep 1947 and continued his military service in that organization until retirement on 31 Dec 1966 as a Sergeant Major in the US Army Chemical Corps (MOS: 54E-Nuclear, Biological, And Chemical (NBC) Specialist). His assignments took him to Pine Bluff Arsenal, AR; Panama Canal Zone and San Jose Island; US Virgin Islands; Tooele Army Depot, UT; Kaiserslautern, Berlin and Neu Ulm, Germany; Trois Fontaines and Orleans, France; Fort Hood and Fort Sam Houston, TX; and Fort McClellan, AL.
During the period 1947-1950, while assigned to the San Jose Project (at San Jose Island and Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone, and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands) Jim participated in the operation of a Chemical Agent Storage Facility and toxic chemical agent tests.
Throughout the years 1950-1966, Jim was assigned to various positions. The majority of his service was performed as an Operations Sergeant of S-3 or Chemical Sections in the Headquarters of several US Army organizations. These included: Berlin Command; 1st and 4th Armored Divisions; 100th Tank Battalion; Fourth US Army; US Army Europe (Rear)/Communication Zone; 83rd Chemical Battalion (Service); US Army Chemical School and Training Center; and 100th Chemical Group. He was granted and maintained a Top Secret Security Clearance. He received several awards and decorations including two prestigious Army Commendation Medals.
To cite a few other assignments: Toxic Gas Handler, San Jose Project; Toxic Gas Handler and First Sergeant, 421st Ordnance Ammunition Company; Scout Section Leader, Headquarters, Combat Command â??Aâ??, 4th Armored Division; Platoon Sergeant, 22nd Chemical Company (Combat Support).
During his military career with the US Army, Jim attended and satisfactorily completed several service and civilian schools designed to improve his leadership and technical knowledge and skills. These included:
-- 8 week Electricity Course at the US Army Engineer School, Fort Belvoir, VA.
-- 64 hour Chemical, Biological & Radiological Defense Training Course at Frankfurt Military Post, Frankfurt, Germany.
-- 26 hour Spoken French I - EM 500 Course presented by members of the Army Education Center, HQ, Berlin Military Post.
-- 83 hour Chemical, Biological & Radiological Specialist Course conducted by members of HQ, Berlin Command, Berlin, Germany.
-- 8 hour Projection Equipment Operator's Course conducted by members of the Army Film & Equipment Exchange Services at HQ, Fourth United States Army.
-- 20 hour Effective Writing Course presented by members of HQ, Fort Sam Houston, TX.
-- 40 hour Chemical Equipment Maintenance Course (Class 101) at US Army Chemical Depot, Midwest, Pine Bluff Arsenal, AR.
-- 2 week Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Leadership Course No. 58-12 conducted by members of the Army Education Center at Wiley Barracks, Neu Ulm, Germany. He graduated in first place.
-- 4 week Seventh US Army NCO Academy at Munich, Germany. He graduated in first place.
-- 60 hour Chemical, Biological and Radiological Officer and NCO Instructor Course conducted at Neu Ulm, Germany, by members of HQ, 4th Armored Division.
-- 8 week Advanced Chemical NCO (Staff Specialist) Course, Class No. 2, at the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 85 hour Chemical Munition Disposal Extension Course, presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 1 week Evasion and Escape Exercise presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 165 hour Chemical, Biological and Radiological Enlisted Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 81 hour Enlisted Nuclear Defense Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 218 hour Army Precommission Extension Course presented by the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA.
-- 159 hour Chemical Officer Orientation Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 80 hour Department of Defense (DoD) Nuclear Defense Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 172 hour Chemical, Biological and Radiological Officer Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 111 hour Chemical Supply Officer Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 153 hour Chemical Officer Familiarization Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 198 hour Chemical Officer Career Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 20 hour Emergency Medical Care Course presented by HQ, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 6 Hour Course of Instruction for Educational Development Program Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) presented by members of the Army Education Center, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- Per Change 1, AR 611-208, dated 29 Jul 1964, subject: "Proficiency Pay for Enlisted Personnel", the US Army conducted annual Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) tests for NCOs. Those participants who received extremely high test scores were granted Proficiency Pay for Superior Performance. Jim always scored high on those tests and was awarded Proficiency Pay as a Sergeant Major in MOS 54E (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Staff Specialist) during the years 1964-66.
-- 30 hour course of study required for Civilian Defense Leaders - Radiological Monitoring for Instructors presented by members of the Department of Defense, Office of Civil Defense, State of Alabama and the University of Alabama.
-- Certificate of Equivalency of High School Graduation from the Department of Education, State of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR.
-- 8 hour course of study and special training for the Aerial Monitor Instructor Course conducted by the State of Alabama Civil Defense Department.
-- Comprehensive College Tests, General Examinations, US Armed Forces Institute, Madison, WI, and was awarded college credits equal to two years of college education.
-- 1 week Radiological Defense Officer Course conducted by members of the Office of the Secretary of the Army, Office of Civil Defense at Civil Defense Staff College, Battle Creek, MI.
-- Individual Income Tax Course conducted by H & R Block, Inc., Gadsden, AL.
In recognition of his military service with the US Army, Sergeant Major Jimmie D. Mains received the following awards: Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Good Conduct Medal (6th Award); Army of Occupation Medal - Germany; National Defense Service Medal; Cold War Certificate; Expert Badge with Rifle Bar; Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar.
After retiring from the US Army on 31 Dec 1966, Jim entered US Civil Service on 2 May 1967 and was employed by the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Commodity Distribution Program (CDP) which later became known as Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
CDP/FNS was responsible for operation of all USDA food programs; i.e., Food Stamp Program, School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Commodity Distribution Program, etc. In order to accomplish that enormous task, the parent organization was organized into Regions each encompassing several States. The Regions were divided into Districts that were further divided into Field Offices. Varying numbers of Counties within a State were assigned to each Field Office.
While employed with CDP/FNS, Jim was assigned as Officer-in-Charge of Field Offices located at Somerset, KY; Holly Springs, MS; and Eutaw, Birmingham and Anniston, AL. When assigned to a Field Office, he was responsible for all aspects of CDP/FNS activities occurring within each of the Counties assigned to that Field Office.
During the period 1973-74, Jim was employed as Supervisor, Food Stamp Quality Control Program, with assignment in FNS's Southeast Regional Office at Atlanta, GA. Activities included supervision of his team of inspectors engaged in the conduct of Quality Control Inspections of Food Stamp Program operations within each of the 8 States assigned to the Region.
Throughout his service with CDP/FNS, Jim retained the pay grade of GS-11 while assigned to Field Office positions and GS-12 when assigned to the Regional Office.
On 16 Oct 1982, Jim transferred from USDA's FNS to the US Department of Defense (DoD) and was employed as a Military Research Analyst in the US Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, AL.
Initially, Jim was assigned in pay grade GS-11 to the Studies Branch, Concepts and Studies Division, Directorate of Combat Developments (DCD).
On 14 Oct 1984, Jim was promoted to GS-12 and reassigned to the Force Analysis Branch, Organization and Personnel Systems Division, DCD.
During those assignments, Jim participated in the conduct of several studies, performed various force analysis type operations and was cited as "the Chemical Corps recognized expert on force structure". He coordinated activities pertinent to Chemical Functional Area Assessments (CFAAâ??s) and vehicular requirements of Chemical organizations. He was granted and maintained a Top Secret Security Clearance.
During his civil service career with USDA and DoD, Jim attended and satisfactorily completed several service and civilian schools designed to improve his leadership and technical knowledge and skills. These included:
-- 2 week Training Session for Consumer Food Programs Officers-in-Charge, US Department of Agriculture, Consumer and Marketing Service, Consumer Food Programs, Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, GA.
-- 40 hour Introduction to Supervision Course presented by members of the Atlanta Region, US Civil Service Commission.
-- 40 hour 1973 National Quality Control Training Course presented by members of the Food Stamp Division, US Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA.
-- 40 hour Basic Management Functions Course presented by members of the US Civil Service Commission, Atlanta Region.
-- 40 hour 1974 National Quality Control Training Course presented by members of the Food Stamp Division, US Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA.
-- Statistical Sampling for Auditors Course presented by instructors from the Bernard M. Baruch College of the University of New York at Washington, D.C.
-- 48 hour Real Estate Course conducted by Wingard Real Estate School, Anniston, AL.
-- Accounting Courses at University of Alabama (UAB).
-- 16 day Directorate of Combat Developments (DCD) Orientation Course presented by members of the US Army Chemical School.
-- 72 hour course of study required for Civil Preparedness Leaders: Radiological Monitoring, presented by members of the State of Alabama Civil Defense Department.
-- 8 hour Proofreading Workshop presented by members of HQ, Fort McClellan, AL
-- 80 hour Contracting Officers' Representative Course, at US Army Logistics Management Center, Fort Lee, VA.
-- 80 hour Integrated Logistics Support Management Techniques in Materiel Acquisition Course at US Army Logistics Management Center, Fort Lee, VA.
-- 3 week Force Integration Course - Developing the Force, Course No. 2G-54C, at US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS. He was the designated "Honor Graduate" for that class.
-- 8 hour Speed Reading Course presented by members of the US Army Chemical School.
-- 8 hour Prevention of Sexual Harassment - Employee Course, presented by members of the US Army Chemical School.
-- 4 week Training Developer Course, Class No. 86-3, at US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS.
-- 40 hour Computer Literacy for Auditors Course at US Army Logistics Management Center, Fort Lee, VA.
-- Basic Income Tax Preparation Course conducted by H & R Block, Inc., Anniston, AL.
-- 12 hour Personal Computer - Getting Started Course conducted by Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL.
-- 6 hour Microsoft Front Page Course conducted by Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL.
In recognition of his civil service with DoD, Military Research Analyst Jimmie D. Mains received the Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
After more than 43 years in service to his country, Jim became an avid genealogist. He researched material pertaining to the ancestors of his close and extended family members and developed a library of facts, suppositions, assumptions and family lore. He wrote and published genealogy books that will be used for the enlightenment of future generations of his relatives.
Jim continues to support non-profit activities of veterans organizations, civic groups and clubs in which he has maintained membership; including: Chemical Corps Regimental Association (CCRA) - (at MG Gerald G. Watson Chapter, served in positions of Operations Officer and Advisor; at the National Headquarters, currently serving as a Director at Large); Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 924 - (served in positions of Quartermaster/Adjutant, Trustee and Service Officer); NARFE Chapters 0353 and 1511 â?? (at Chapter 0353, served in position of Treasurer); The American Legion; Disabled American Veterans (DAV); Association of the US Army (AUSA) â?? Anniston Satellite, Redstone-Huntsville Chapter; Brotherhood of Protective Order of the Elks (BPOE) Lodge No. 189; Berlin US Military Veterans Association (BUSMVA); USS Bayfield (APA-33) Veterans Association; 1st Armored Division Association; Sergeant Majors Association - Redstone Arsenal; Veterans of Underage Military Service (VUMS); Together We Served. He has received several prestigious awards, for example: for his military and civilian service in the US Army Chemical Corps, the CCRA presented him with the â??Ancient Order of the Dragonâ?? award; while serving as Post Quartermaster at VFW Post 924, he received the state-wide title "Captain All-State Team of Post Quartermasters".
On 27 Oct 2010, Jim joined a group of about 170 WW II veterans and their guardians and traveled to/from Birmingham, AL - Washington, D.C. to visit numerous memorial sites located in parks at our nation's capitol. The trip was sponsored by Honor Flight, Inc., to recognize American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements.
During the period 23 - 30 Oct 2011, Jim joined a selected group of 11 Berlin US Military Veterans Association (BUSMVA) members and participated in the 2011 Welcome Home to Berlin Tour. This expense paid trip was sponsored by the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation (CCF) (an affiliate of the German Government) whose goal is to develop and maintain German-American relations. The CCF promotes and organizes various projects and programs, while at the same time serving the interests of both countries as a contact organization.
Other Comments:
Peavy, Dr. Thomas, SP5 Medical Department
Sergeant Major,
Thanks for the stop-by at my page. Additional thank for your service beyond the USN. What a career you have had. You are a part of the generation in which my dad and uncles served. You men of WWII are my heroes. I grew up hearing of the great things all of you did. Were it not for you and those men, our nation and lives would be so different. My one enlistment in the USAR was instructive and certainly prepared me for a return to the Navy as a Corpsman. Little did I know that I would spend twelve years attached to the Fleet Marine Force as a Corpsman based on my Army time. Old Senior Chief Petty Officers such as I are honored to offer an honorary rack in the Goatlocker to those who hold ranks equivalent to Chief and above. If you have an opportunity drop by my Together We Served USN page and pay a visit. In my Chief's mess you are always welcomed. Thanks again for all you have done for our nation in and out of uniform.
Dr. Thomas Peavy, HMCS,USNR,(Ret.)
Corpsman of Marines
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SGT Tom Wetzel
TOP, us young squirts want you to know that we know who really runs/ran the military. You are a credit to your country and ALL military services. Part of " THE GREATEST GENERATION" which is something I truly envy. There was a significant degradation of individual integrity beginning with us baby boomers that makes your whole generation a group to model ourselves after. Thank You for your service to our country. Tom ( Viet Era)
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1951-1952, 1870, 421st Ordnance Ammunition Company
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Base, Fort or City 421st Ordnance Ammunition Company, Trois Fontaines Ammunition Depot (TFAD)
State/Country France
Patch
421st Ordnance Ammunition Company Details
Located at Trois Fontaine, France. This unit operated a Depot for Ammunition used by units in USAREUR. In 1952, the Depot was closed and the stockpile was moved out of France. The next Headquarters up the chain of command was: Headquarters, Advance Section Ordnance Depot, 7863 Ordnance Ammunition Depot Detachment.
Best Friends Family: Spouse - Marthe Marie Julie Hergel Mains; married 21 Feb 1952 at Sermaise les Bains, France (Passed 26 Dec 1992) Father-in-Law - Paul Hergel (Passed 1962) Brother-in-Law - MSG Andrew Stuckey (Passed 20 Aug 2012) Sister-in-Law - Marcelle Emilienne Hergel Stuckey Brother-in-Law - Jean Paul Leon Hergel (Passed 21 May 2009) Sister-in-Law - Roberte Pierson Vogels Hergel Brother-in-Law - Jacques Paul Hergel Sister-in-Law - Therese Geerger Hergel Brother-in-Law - Bernard Louis Hergel (Passed 1984) Friends: CPT Authur C. Nenno, Company Commander MSG _____ Shackleford
Other Memories On 5 Jun 1951, Staff Sergeant (E-5) Jimmie D. (Jim) Mains (MOS 1870-Chemical Staff Operations Sergeant) left the US Army General Depot at Kaiserslautern, Germany, and was reassigned to the 421st Ordnance Ammunition Company stationed at Trois Fontaines Ammunition Depot, France.
Note: Following WW II, a large allied force was maintained in Germany as a deterrent to possible conflicts between the Soviet Army and NATO forces. In support of forward based forces, numerous supply and logistics depots were established and maintained throughout Europe on a line starting in Spain and extending throughout France and into southern areas of Germany. This system worked well until 1958 when General DeGaule became President and demanded that all foreign troops leave France. Soon thereafter, all of those Depots were displaced forward to positions in Southern Germany.
The US Army Ammunition Depot at Trois Fontaines, France, was such a depot. Command and control was established by Headquarters, Advance Section Ordnance Depot, 7863 Ordnance Ammunition Depot Detachment. Several operating units were assigned to perform the depot's mission.
The 421st Ordnance Ammunition Company was one such unit. Jim was assigned to that unit from Jun 1951 - Mar 1952. On arrival, he was one of four Regular Army (RA) soldiers in the 248 man company - the remaining US Army Reserve (USAR) officers and enlisted personnel were patiently awaiting the day they would return State Side. At first, he was a Staff Sergeant (E-5) assigned as an Assistant Platoon Sergeant. Within a short period of time, he was selected to fill a position of Platoon Sergeant, then Field First Sergeant and finally First Sergeant.
When Jim first joined, all members of the unit were billeted in a Warehouse at nearby St. Dizier, France. Unit personnel traveled to the depot site each day to establish the area. They erected tents, dug latrines, laid out roadways, etc. on that muddy hillside. Finally, they moved into the new quarters. It was miserable living in those tents. For example, during the winter of 1951, snow had to be removed from boots before putting them on each morning.
In addition to the 421st, there were two Transportation Truck Companies on station there. Trucks from those units were used to move Ammunition from the Railroad Station (Gare) at nearby Robert Espagne, France, to storage sites located throughout the Foret de Trois Fontaines. Those vehicles were also used to transport personnel as need be. For example, there was no bath facilities available at the campsite and the men were transported to nearby Sermaize-les-Bains, France, to utilize community bathing facilities there.
While performing the duties of Field First Sergeant, Jim was responsible for all activities pertaining to unloading and storage of ammunition that arrived daily on Freight Cars at the Railroad Station. The ammo was off-loaded from Box Cars, transported by truck to storage sites in the nearby forest and stacked. That was a tremendous responsibility. He managed to field a large number of Enlisted Men (EM) from his unit along with Trucks with their Drivers from the two Truck Companies and locally hired French/Algerian workers. Everyone gathered at the Railroad Station early in the morning each work day. His job was to establish work crews, make assignments and supervise loading/unloading activities. A team normally consisted of two EM from his unit, a Truck with Driver and several French/Algerian workers. About 60 - 80 such teams were fielded each workday. Later in the day after the Teams were assigned and work commenced, he traveled around the area in his (personal) Weapons Carrier, observed the work in progress and reconnoitered future storage sites. It was a big operation.
One of the four original RA soldiers, a Master Sergeant named Shackelford, graduated to the First Sergeant's position when the assigned USAR First Sergeant rotated back to the United States. The Company Commander (named Peters - I think) soon decided that he was not the person he wanted in that position. As a result, Jim became First Sergeant and held that position until his departure from the unit.
On 15 Oct 1951, Jim was promoted to the grade of Sergeant First Class (E-6); MOS 1870 - Chemical Staff Operations Sergeant.
Jim met and married a French National named Marthe Marie Julie Hergel. She was living at nearby Sermaise-les-Bains, France, and employed as a Sales Person in the Post Exchange located near the Main Gate on the Depot.
It was during this period that Jim became acquainted with MSG Andrew Stuckey and his wife, Marcelle. Andrew was assigned as the First Sergeant of one of the two Truck Companies mentioned above. They were in daily contact with each other for business reasons. Marthe was working at the Post Exchange. On several occasions, Jim and Marthe visited the Stuckey's in their home at Robert Espagne. On one of those occasions, Marcelle cooked up a mess of "Escargo" and Andrew invited them to dinner. That was the first time Jim had ever tasted "Escargo" and he was hesitant to do so; however, Andrew persuaded him to try one and he ended up devouring 13 - Jim found them delicious.
About Dec 1951, Andrew was transferred to a position with the Post IG at Verdun, France.
In Mar 1952, Jim was reassigned and transferred to Headquarters, Berlin Military Post, at Berlin, Germany. Marthe accompanied him on the move. Later, she became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States. They remained together until she died on 26 Dec 1992.