Don Lines
Army 1952-1954
Don was born was born July 14, 1931 in Fulton Illinois, along the Mississippi River. He has lived in Forest Park since 1967. Don was drafted at age 20 and served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954 during the Korean War. He took his 16-week infantry basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. During his time at Fort Riley, Don learned that there was a band school and inquired about it. Don played the cornet in high school and wanted to see if he could get involved with the band school after basic training. His sergeant encouraged him to inquire. Don soon learned that the band school needed more cornet players and it was arranged that Don would attend following completion of his basic training. After Don finished Fort Riley band school, he was sent to Fort Sam Houston 4th Army Area to be assigned to a military band. Plans were changed and Don was sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana for about 6 weeks when orders came down that more musicians were wanted in Europe. Don and a couple of other men who played different instruments were chosen to go to Camp Kilmer in New York to board a boat bound for Europe. After being on the boat for quite some time and sick most of the time, Don landed in Hamburg, Germany. The group was then transferred to another band school in Munich, Germany where they spent the next four months. Following Munich, Don was assigned to the 76th Army Band in Orleans, France from June of 1953 to March of 1954. Don’s band played daily in Orleans giving concerts in the morning and playing for different situations related to military ceremonies and European dignitaries. The band also played a few times in Paris. When that time was up, he was sent back to the U.S. to be discharged. Don felt that he contributed to the military with his musical abilities and was happy to do so. Although he never served in the combat that was part of the Korean War, Don states that some of his friends who served in combat in Korea did not make it back or came back in bad shape. Don is a member of the Savanna, IL VFW and American Legion in his hometown Fulton, IL.
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★ Don served in the U.S. Army from 1952-54 ★ Served during the Korean War ★ Drafted in 1952 at age 20 ★ Took Basic Training at Fort Riley, Kansas |
Draft during the Korean War
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“I guess I thought I was going to have to do my duty because all my other buddies in town were being drafted or enlisting in some form of the military, so when I got my notice I thought, well OK, I guess it’s my turn-my turn to serve.......So I thought, well, I’ll just have to join them.” |
Basic Training Fort Riley, Kansas
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★ Don was in an infantry course in basic training
★ During his time at Fort Riley, Don found out that there was a band school about a mile away ★ He was encouraged by the acting Sergeant to inquire about joining after basic training 
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★ Don learned that a new cycle would be starting at band school a month after completion of his basic training
★ He met with the band director to discuss his previous music training |
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“What do you play?” I said, “I play a cornet. I did in high school and that’s the experience I have.” He said, “Well, I tell you what, we need some more cornet players in our new class, so I will get the information I need from you and I will see to it that when orders come down after your basic training, that you will be assigned to our band school.” |
From U.S.A. to Europe
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★ After finishing band school, Don was sent to Fort Sam Houston, 4th Army area to be assigned to a military band
★ He was quickly sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana for 6 weeks ★ Orders came down that more musicians were needed in Europe ★ Don and a few others were selected and sent to Camp Kilmer in New York to prepare for a boat going over to Europe
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European Tour Begins |
Orleans, France |
★ After a long and seasick boat ride, Don and other band members landed in Hamburg, Germany.
★ Their Special Services unit, as military bands were called, were transferred to Munich, Germany where they were formally assigned to a band in Europe ★ In Munich there was another band school where Don spent 4 months sharpening his cornet skills |
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★ Don was assigned to a band in Orleans, France.
★ There he joined the 76th Army Band ★ His tour lasted from June of ’53 to March of ’54 |
76th Army Band-Orleans, France
“There were Army bands in Germany, England, France and I think maybe a couple in Italy during that time of the Korean War. We would play for different situations there in Orleans. Sometimes they would have high officials and generals come to Orleans and we’d have to play our music.We were busy doing something almost every day there in Orleans, giving concerts in the morning and playing for different situations that might be going on in Orleans you see.
There were different things going on at Shape Headquarters in Paris, France. And there were things going on that involved all of Europe as far as the Korean War was concerned. We got involved with playing a few different times in Paris. So, it was what I called PRETTY GOOD DUTY!
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Returning from military service
★ Don received a warm welcome upon his return to Fulton, Illinois as many families had someone in military
★ Returned to his previous employer in Clinton, Iowa
★ Played his cornet at weekly summer concerts in Fulton
★ Belongs to the American Legion in Fulton, Illinois, his hometown.
★ Belongs to the VFW in Savannah, Illinois.
★ Returned to his previous employer in Clinton, Iowa
★ Played his cornet at weekly summer concerts in Fulton
★ Belongs to the American Legion in Fulton, Illinois, his hometown.
★ Belongs to the VFW in Savannah, Illinois.
Reflections on the Korean war
“I just thought it was a situation that I didn’t think the United States should get involved with. I thought if North Korea wants to be aggressive and do some bad things to South Korea, they’re going to have to fight their own war over there. That was my opinion and most of us in Fulton had the same opinion. It didn’t affect what was really going on because we were still being drafted and serving. Some of my friends had to go to Korea and some of them didn’t survive very well, that’s for sure.
It wasn’t a popular war, but the United States got involved and we had to make the best of it....... I guess, we here in the United States feel we should get involved because maybe we can do some good with our efforts. That’s the way I looked at it. “
Message To Those Considering The Military
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“I would suggest to somebody that was thinking about the military, that if this is something you want to do to maybe enhance your education, maybe you should get into the military, and try to build up your education. And if you thought it was a good deal why don’t you just make a career out of it? Because maybe it would be the best thing you would ever do, who knows?” |
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Don’s Final Words
“Sometimes, if I’m not getting good service with something, I like to say to people, “I’m a senior citizen and a veteran with problems, so you should be good to me. Or they should ask, what can I do to help you out? “
Full Interview - Transcript
| Don_Lines_Transcript.pdf |
Interviewing, research, writing and design by Nancy Cavaretta