James Ritter
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
James Ritter served in World War II and the Korean War.
He served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Ritter signed up for the Army Air Forces during his senior year of high school. When he graduated from high school in 1945, the Air Forces contacted him: they had filled their quota. He could either stay with the Army Reserve or be discharged and then be drafted. He chose the Army and trained to be in a tank destroyer company at Camp Hood, Texas. He was assigned to Germany in December 1945 and assigned to the 3507th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company.
When Mr. Ritter was discharged, he joined the Reserves. His unit was activated during the Korean War to train a National Guard Battalion. When his unit was deactivated, he stayed with the Reserves.
His rank was Sergeant.
Mr. Ritter had nine years active and reserve duty.
He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
“I joined the Army Air Force Reserves in September 1944. When I finished high school in the spring of 1945, they called and said Air Force had filled their quota and I could either get into Army Reserve or get out and be drafted. I chose the Army and went to Camp Hood, Texas, to train in a tank destroyer company. In June of 1945 after training, the war in Europe was over. That December, I was sent to Germany to find the tank destroyer unit had been closed out, and I was assigned as a sergeant in the 3507 Ordnance Motor Pool.
“At the time of my discharge, I thought we might have trouble with the Russians, so I rejoined the Reserves for three more years. I was called back to active service during the Korea conflict as cadre to train National Guard Battalion. When that was finished, I went back to the Reserves. I had nine years active and reserve time.”
