Military Veterans

Alfred (LeRoy) LeRoy Redburn

Date of Birth

19 September 1919

Date of Death

22 November 1991

Brick Location

Eagle Side

Panel Number

11B

Biography

Army Private First Class Alfred LeRoy Redburn was drafted into the Army in January, 1945.  He took his basic training of 16 weeks at Camp Fanning in Tyler, TX.  For three months after basic, he was in the hospital due to a knee injury.  

He then transferred to Salzburg, Austria, in January 1946, and was assigned to the Rainbow Division of the Signal Corps as a Wire Chief.  It was his duty each day to call and make sure all wiring systems were working.

He left there and came through New York Harbor in July 1946, passed the Statue of Liberty.  They were all wearing wool uniforms and therefore were issued khaki uniforms.  They left New York by a coal train.  By the time they arrived in Chicago, they were covered with coal soot.  (This was because they left the windows open in order to keep cool.)  They were all reissued a second set of khakis and discharged 7/22/1946..

Al told the story of arriving in El Dorado and wanted a new car.  Cars were scarce during the war; you had to order them, then wait.  Al’s Dad, Arlie, had ordered one months before it happened to come in.  It was a black Chevrolet Club Coupe, 1946 model, and it cost $1,200.  Al bought it from his Dad.

Al married Louise Hollingshed on April 13, 1941.  They had one son, Alfred Wayne II.


Branch:

U.S. Army

Rank

Private First Class

Years

World War II