By John Montesano –
The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club named James “Jim” Lambert the June veteran of the month.
He was born June 28, 1935 on a farm near Lombard. He was graduated from Glenbard High School and enlisted in the Army in December 1953. He went to Fort Monmouth, N.J. and then to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, in Maryland, for electronic anti-aircraft fire control, radar, and analog computer training. The Army didn’t seem to know what to do with him. He was sent to Camp Kilmer, N.J. in preparation to go to Germany, but didn’t go because of a technicality. So, it was back to Aberdeen. After a month, Lambert was sent to Fort Riley, Kan.. When he reported and indicated that his MOS (military occupation specialty) was electronic fire control systems, the response was that “We don’t need anybody on the fire department! Can you type?” Finally, the sergeant supposedly found a spot for Jim’s MOS and sent him to the 188th Ordinance Battalion. When Jim told the sergeant what his MOS was, the response is “There ain’t nothin’ like that within 500 miles of here. Can you type?” He was made the mail clerk, which he did for a year.
In late 1955, Jim got his orders to go overseas and was sent to Fort Lewis, Wash., and on to Korea. Because he had a critical MOS, he was flown there, instead of going by ship. He was supposed to take the Winter route, which meant he was issued Winter clothes. Unfortunately, he landed in California, then Hawaii, still in his Winter garb. Upon taking off from Hawaii, the plane lost a propeller. After several hours, the plane was repaired and he flew to Wake Island. The flight from Wake Island to Tokyo was flown partially on one engine due to malfunction. His flight out of Tokyo was delayed and they spent two weeks there. He was on the last leg of his journey to Kimpo Air Base, South Korea, but because of weather he landed at Osan Air Base, South Korea for an overnight lay-over. Finally, he flew into Kimpo AB. All in all, his travel time was four weeks, about the same time for a ship’s journey.
After a week, Lambert was sent to an area close to the DMZ and was put in charge of 20 Koreans who were repairing optical equipment which he knew nothing about. He spoke no Korean and they spoke no English. After a week of ineffective activity, Jim was sent to where he was supposed to be at Osan AB. Finally, Jim was going to do the job he was trained to do. However, due to an agreement with the Russians, none of the equipment on which Jim was trained could be brought to Korea! Again, he couldn’t do his MOS! Eventually, he became the welder and painter for the outfit. Jim was released from the Army November 1, 1956 and arrived home in December 1956.
When home, Jim did some farming with his brother, followed by some factory work. Needing better work, he learned computer programming and started a 30-year career at CTI Inc; Official Airline Guides; and Wallis Press. He retired in 2000.
In 1958, he met Jeanette, whom he married in October 1959. They have three children and six grandchildren. In his spare time, Jim enjoys woodworking and repairing antique radios. He is a member of Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84 of the American Legion and has been for 22 years.
When asked for some words of wisdom, Jim replied: “Keep pluggin’.”