McMAHAN, Michael James
10 Nov 1910-23 Oct 1998
Born in Dodgeville, Iowa Co., Wi.
Son of Michael and Phronia Celia (STAPLETON) McMAHAN.
Military: Mike was in the military twice. The first time was
abt 1929. According to a conversation with his brother Leo
McMahan on Oct 13, 1999, Mike was in a bit of trouble,
(fighting?), and had to go to reform school, or join the Army.
He joined the Army. His mom sent him to Leo, who was working
at a diner/coffee shop, to get 50 cents so he could go join
the Army. Leo didn't have the money, and didn't know that Mike
had to go, until this moment. He eventually found someone to
give him the money, and he enlisted. He was sent to a camp in
St. Lois; where Leo was sent by their mother Phron, to visit
Mike and make sure he was ok. Mike was a card shark,
specifically when it came to poker. After 1 year, 3 months,
and 3 days, Mike had won enough money at cards to buy his
freedom from the Army. He went home, and he finished high
school.

The second time he was drafted, and was sent to Camp Fanon Tx;
IRTC. As Mike liked to say, when the bus drove pas the sign,
someone asked what the initals stood for. Mike replied it's
either Intellegence or Infantry replacement training center;
and by looking at this bunch, I would say it's the latter! He
was right. Grandpa said that the first night at camp they went
to dinner, and when they returned, a guy was found to have
hung himself! He also talked about how he had gotten sick
during training camp, and did not leave with his group. He did
leave for the European Theatre of Operations Nov 15, 1944 and
arrived in Europe Nov 26, 1944. He was a pfc in the #256th ORD
MM Co. He saw action in Rhineland, and Central Europe. He
didn't talk much about the bad times; only once how so many
friends died, and shortly before his death, a show on the
history channel was showing the battle of the Bulge, and he
broke down in tears. He just kept repeating how awful it was,
and cried and cried. Any other reference was humorous and
often illegal!!!! Stealing coffee to trade for strawberries,
to give to the co chef to make strawberry shortcake. Stealing
canned fruit to give a local baker to make pastries, they
split them 50/50. The story he told most often and was most
proud of, was him helping to feed the kids that were in the
occupied area. The Army fed the kids under the age of 14 every
day. Mike was nominated to line em up because he had kids!.
One day Mike noticed a child that was up on a hill, away from
the line. He asked the kids about him, and they replied that
he was too old to come in. Mike said to go get him, he could
come in! He also said they were supposed to wash their tins
out before they left camp, but he never made them, so they
could sneak food home to their families. He also said the
children had never seen white bread, and they loved it, once
he showed them it was ok to eat. He oftened wondered if they
remembered that later..
Father


In Loving Memory
They were married on 22 Aug 1935 in Rockford, Winnebago Co., Ill.