HOWZE, Murphy, Livingston and St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue and submitted by Inez Bridges Tate.
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Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives
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From "St. Helena Vets Remember World War II: Personal Interviews
With World War II Vets", published by St. Helena Historical
Association, 1995.  Compiled and edited by Inez Bridges Tate and
reprinted with permission.

     Murphy Howze was born and grew up on a farm north of
Livingston in Livingston Parish.  He attended schools in that
area.

     After school he worked on his parents' farm and later
worked for Sam Sharp at a store.  He also worked on the farm of
Julian Smith and said he put in long hours there, working for
$1.00 a day.  Of course, this was during the Great Depression
when wages were low.

     Murphy was drafted on September 14, 1944, reporting to New
Orleans.  He was then sent to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, an induc-
tion center.  Basic training was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for 18 
weeks.  He had one short leave to come home before he left to go
overseas.

     Overseas duty was in the South Pacific.  He shipped out
from California and was on a ship in a large convoy.  He recalls
passing under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Franscisco.  They
spent 31 days aboard the ship before reaching Leyte, the 
Philippines, their destination.  The memory of this landing is
still with Murphy.  He saw some horrible sights, injuries sus-
tained by these young men who were on the front line going
ashore.  To this day the memory of what he saw there remains
very painful.  Murphy recalls that he was very small then,
weighing a little over 115 pounds, but quite strong.

     While serving on Panay in the Philippines, Murphy said he
was with his Unit when they saw a lot of Japanese coming toward
them.  They were extremely afraid, thinking they would be fired
on.  To their relief, the Japanese surrendered and they took
them as prisoners.

     After the Philippines were secure, he spent some time in
Seoul, Korea.

     From his discharge was noted: "Battles and Campaigns:
Southern Pacific.  Decorations and Citations: Asiatic-Pacific
Campaign ribbon with one bronze star; Philippine Liberatino
ribbon; Good Conduct medal, Victory ribbon, 3 overseas bars;
3 Army Occupation ribbons - Japan.  Mess Sgt. Rifle Marksman."

     Returning to the United States, he was discharged on
October 31, 1946.  He and Miss Dorothy Crouch were married on
July 16, 1947.  They moved to St. Helena Parish then and they
have spent most of their married life living near Montpelier.
Murphy farmed, worked with pulpwood and then worked for Crown
Zellerback from 1956 - 1971, driving a truck.  Due to poor health
he is not able to work much now but enjoys growing a small
garden.  "I like to watch things grow," he said.

      Murphy and Dorothy have one son and one daughter, seven
grandchildren and one great grandchild.

     On thinking back on his time in the Army, Murphy said, "I
am thankful the Lord allowed me to return home and without being
wounded.  Many were not so lucky."

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