Eleven months before the fateful attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into war, in January, 1941 three of the Budd brothers enlisted in the Army: Robert P. ("Rob"), Arthur P. ("Ott") and Mark G., Jr. ("Barney"). Older Brother Walter was employed in an industry deemed critical to the anticipated war effort as a draftsman for U. S. Pipe & Foundry. Brother Blair was a foreman for a dairy company. Of the three soldiers, Rob’s wartime experience was the most eventful.

Upon entering the Army Barney elected to become a cook, and he
spent the duration of the war cooking on board transport trains traveling across the United States ferrying soldiers to training and war. His brother, Ott, also served stateside.

By December, 1941, Arthur (“Ott”) Budd was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Sunday, December 7TH was his day off and he was at the beach when the Japanese surprise attack occurred. As the bombs and torpedoes struck the 7TH Fleet, Ott raced to the port to see how he could help. He helped numerous sailors from stricken ships sinking in the harbor, no doubt saving several lives.

Army payment rolls indicate that Staff Sergeant Arthur Budd was transferred from 5th HQ Detachment, 4TH Army, Swift, Texas to Fort Dix, NJ for discharge on 9 June 1945. Ott was honorably discharged at Fort Dix on 17 June 1945.

Rob was an enlisted man Jan 1941 to June 1942, duty as Platoon Sergeant with 11TH Airborne Division in Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Received a battlefield commission as 2ND Lieutenant Infantry.” DD-214: “Parachute Infantry Unit Commander: Commanded a machine gun platoon of a parachute infantry company in Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Directed and controlled tactical employment of unit in combat. Lead unit in seizing and holding or otherwise exploiting such important tactical localities as installations in conjunction with or pending arrival of other ground units.

Mark G Budd