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SPC 5  Gerald 'Jerry' Byrne -  1965   (Photo as yet unavailable).

Jerry served with the 656th Engr at Tompkins Barracks in Scwetzingen, Germany where he taught orientation sessions from 1964 to1966. Jerry was TDY to Ethiopia for about 3 months in 1965 and then returned to Tompkins Barracks to train the next crew from the 656 to go to Ethiopia.

Gerald writes: 

 "I always enjoy looking back on past events in my life, including my time in the US Army. I taught back at Tompkins Barracks just before I returned to the States and civilian life.
  I spent three months plus a little in Ethiopia some time in mid 1965. We started out in Asmara and drove in our convoy to a place I think was called Quiha. We spent time working that area and later moved on to another location to run more level lines. There were 20+ of us but I can't remember all the names. One NCO was SSGT Guarino, our CWO was Mr. Oetiker, we had a cook, a medic, a motor pool guy and about 20 survey guys. I'll search my old letters and memory to see what names I can ressurect. But it was a great experience being there in a country most people have never been to, much less even think of."

"I saw the name of Dick Browne herein..he was in that second group to go to Ethiopia. It was a great experience and was the highlight of my 2 years in the US Army. My brother was a 20 year man..he's still my hero.

SP4 Dana Levy - Surveyor - Spent 100 days TDY on level line in Ethiopia/Somalia border region. CLICK HERE to see Dana's photos and read his stories of his time in Ethiopia.

Me (on the left) and Bill Clark outside our barracks bldg.

ARMY day of the quadrangle showing off our stuff to the locals.

Open Post Day at Tompkins Barracks in Germany to show off for the comrads. Taken from HQ Company (where the survey platoon lived) building of quadrangle in the middle of the main housing area.

Here we are on maneuvers in a forrest in Northern Germany. On left digging a trench for our tent is Martin Faircloth, then Dan Kavalunas, Me Paul French.

656th Engineer TOPO in the German forrest  on maneuvers. I am on the right.

Next to the EM club across the street from Tompkins Barracks having a Survey Platoon party. Third from left is our lieutenant then going right is Manning, John Platt in sweater. We did enjoy Weldebreau,  the beer of Schwetzingen, the town closet to the post.

Here are some of the newer guys at the Survey Platoon party with our EM club waitress Giesela.

Robert Manning (new guy) on joint Nato maneuvers in 1968 in the field using a Wild T-2 Theodolite that we surveyed with in Germany.

CWO Oetiker   (photo and info as yet unavailable)

SSGT Guarino  (photo and info as yet unavailable)