His life as a youth in northeast Texas; family experiences during the Great Depression; his long-time love of mules and horses; his decision to join the 112th Cavalry, Texas National Guard, November, 1940; mobilization of the Texas National Guard, November 18, 1940; training with horses, Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, 1940-41; advanced training at Fort Clark, Brackettville, Texas, 1941; return to Fort Worth for additional mounted training, 1941; Louisiana Maneuvers, July-September, 1941; voyage from San Francisco to New Caledonia, 1942-43; assignment to Townsville, Australia, 1943; assault on Woo