Greatest Generation WWII Army Veteran Meets Latest Generation by U.S. Army Patrick Young Fort Stewart Public Affairs Office
September 20, 2019
Seventy-five years after returning from World War II, Theodore
Lambert traveled with his wife and daughter to remember D-Day, June
6, at the 3rd Infantry Division Museum on Fort Stewart.
The
day turned momentous when Lambert, a member of the greatest
generation, was able to help share some wisdom with members of the
latest generation.
Coincidental to Lambert’s visit, more
than 40 boys and girls ranging from eight to 18 years-old were
visiting the museum as part of the Sky Patriot summer camp. The
camp’s senior instructor, Santiago Santana, said the group was on a
field trip to learn about leadership, discipline and service to the
nation. When the campers learned from the museum curator, John
Potter, the Lamberts would be arriving at the museum their
experience went from a purely visual one to an interactive
experience.
Ronnie and Theodore Lambert (94
and 97 years old respectively) talk to youth attending the
Sky Patriot summer camp on Fort Stewart on June 6, 2019 at
the 3rd ID Museum. During World War II, Theodore Lambert
(1944 inset image top left) served in the U.S. Army with the
162nd Chemical Smoke Generator Company in Africa, Italy and
France. His wife Ronnie, worked in a factory in Brunswick,
GA shipping parts to help war effort. (Image created by USA
Patriotism! from U.S. Army photo by Patrick Young and
courtesy 1944 photo provided by Theodore Lambert's family)
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After a warm reception from the campers and
other museum visitors, the 97 year-old Riceboro native, Theodore and
his wife, 94-year old Midway native, Ronnie Lambert were introduced
to the children by Potter and Lambert’s daughter, Alvera Phillips,
who explained a little of their history.
Theodore grew up in
the area around Fort Stewart, and helped build the installation when
the land was purchased in 1940. He helped clear trees and remove
tree-stumps, sometimes with dynamite. When war was declared, he
traveled to Fort Benning for his initial training in the U.S. Army,
with follow-on training in Alabama.
His then-girlfriend,
Ronnie, was still in school when World War II was declared. But soon
after, she took a job in Brunswick, shipping aircraft parts and
doing her part to help the war effort.
Both opened themselves
up for questions from the children and spoke about their experiences
around the time of World War II.
Lambert said he was a
corporal in the 162nd Chemical Smoke Generator Company during World
War II, serving in Africa, Italy and later supported the invasion of
Normandy, France.
“We burned a mixture of oil and water to
create smoke screen, to cover the Soldiers who were trying to build
a bridge and cross the river,” Lambert answered when asked what his
unit did in WWII. “But the wind kept shifting, and the Germans kept
trying to shell the bridge.”
In the
final
operations report, noted the 162nd
Chemical Smoke Generator Company near St. Goar, in France, in March
25-28, 1945, supported the VIII Corps as it crossed the Rhine River,
between Bingen and Koblnz.
The 162nd Smoke Generator Company
helped the 87th and 89th Divisions in their efforts to invade
Normandy. The report indicated that part of the U.S. plan was to
provide smoke screens for the 1102nd Engineer Combat Group to build
a pontoon bridge, and for the 345th Infantry to assault across the
river at Boppard, in the 87th Division sector. Although they took on
heavy mortar and small arms fire, the effort was successful.
Through carefully thought-out answers to the children’s
question, the campers learned the Soldiers relied on smoke and cover
for protection during the day.
“We would try and build our
trenches at night – as they were often our only protection from the
Germans, who were trying to shoot us,” Lambert said.
When
asked of his happiest moment during World War II, he smiled and
said, “When we heard the war was over in Europe. We were just about
to load up for Japan, but were told we could go home early.”
Marshal Bramlet asked him what he did when he got home. Lambert
thought carefully and after a long pause said, “Well, for six weeks,
I didn’t do anything. Then I started work at my old job at the gas
station, got married and after nine months, moved to Newark, New
Jersey.”
When his wife, Ronnie, was asked by a young lady in
the audience how it felt to work in what would later be termed a
Rosie the Riveter job, she smiled and replied.
“I was young
and working – I was excited,” Ronnie said. When asked for advice
for the youngest generations, both Lamberts agreed education was the
key.
“Get an education and stay in school,” Ronnie said as
Theodore nodded agreement.
As they concluded the education
session, the new 1st Armored Brigade Combat commander, Col. Trent
Upton and 1ABCT’s Operations Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major Joseph
Gaskin, visited with the Lamberts, thanking them for their sacrifice
and service.
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