MEMORIES OF Gary Caughlin
I was stationed at Camp King from
about 1977 to April 1979. My unit, the 570th MP Platoon was originally at Gutleut
Kaserne, in Frankfiurt, attached to the 709th MP BN. We were transferred to the 4th
Trans Bde Headquarters at Camp King sometime in 77. The Brigade Commander was Col
Vincent Russo at
that time. Anyway, our first barracks was an old building. Behind us was the
motor pool, on the other side was the clinic, up the hill was the Officer's Club and the
offices and Bowling Alley were on the other side of
us. One day we were tearing down a bannister on the staircase. It was
made of two sheets of plywood with the railing on top. Once we had it apart a little
piece of wood fell out. Engraved into the wood was "Built for my
Fuhrer.." followed by the year, 1936 or something, and then a name. I
forget the name on it but we took it to the Headquarters Building where one of the
secretaries there recognized the name and said that this fellow was still alive.
Apparently, he hid something on every building he built! She arranged to return it to him
and I understand he was very pleased to get it.
Later we moved into a barracks across the
field from the Bowling Alley and next to the theater. I guess the 570th was active
well into the 90's.
The 570th MP Platoon was a great unit with
a long history. I recall seeing some old photographs in our office when I was there
as well hearing some of
the history from Joe Suchan, who was our liaison to the Bundesbahn. He had worked
there a long time when I was there. Anyway, I saw your site and thought it was
great. Hope you found this of interest. Camp King was the best place I was
ever stationed!
Gary Caughlin