Sometime in the
summer of 1970 SP5 Phillip A.
Nowakowski of Chicago, Illinois, DEROS'd. For the benefit of
those of you who didn't have a DEROS, it was your Date Expected to
Return from Overseas, in other words, the date you could return to 'the
world.'
A few words about
parties in the Army, in Viet Nam, and specifically at the 24th.
It is Army tradition to have a party for people arriving and people departing
a post. The official Army custom is a formal "Hale and Farewell"
reception, stiff, obligatory cocktail party stuff. The more informal
"Hi - Bye" is more relaxed and more fun, but still public,
usually in one of the clubs. A DEROS party in Viet Nam, at least
at our hospital, was held in somebody's hootch (where we lived), and was more
private. It was not only a way to congratulate those we cared about who
were leaving, but it gave notice to those newly assigned (FNG's,
sometimes translated "Funny, New Guy") what they were in for.
And it was an excuse for a party. We were young, far away from home,
bored when not working, and there wasn't much else to do than blow off steam
by partying. Here's an invitation to
a DEROS party.
The top picture is
entitled, "The boys of Ward 5 at Ski's DEROS
party." Ski is
the one with the band around his head. The guy with the bottle is Steve
Stout. To their left is "Snyder," assuming he's wearing his
own shirt. Does Ski look well enough to travel, do you think?
The second
picture shows Ski receiving the Golden Boot award from Jill Mishkel. Basically, according to Jill, it was a boot, nailed to a board, and painted yellow. She's guessing Ski still has it.
Finally, we see
"The Girls of Ward 5 at Ski's DEROS party." Jill is
over Ski's left shoulder, but the rest are unidentified. (Source:
Carol Pitula and Cindy Young)
Who ARE
these 'boys' and 'girls?' If you can
identify anyone else in these pictures, know what month Ski left, or know how to
contact any of the 'boys' or 'girls,' please email the Webmaster. Additions
or corrections always entertained.
If you have
pictures of your DEROS party, or any other '24th' memories you would like
posted, contact us. These are
easier to post if on the History section if associated with a specific
timeframe.
