Wally's Index

MAJOR ALEXANDER BRINDLE

 

One day, around November 1944, our company commander

gathered our outfit together for an important announcement.

 

He said that he was being transferred out  - - - Where? or Why?

was not disclosed.  Our outgoing Captain then introduced our

new commander, Major Alexander Brindle.

 

Not much was revealed about him.  Much of the information

and his background came out in the weeks to come.

 

He was not a great orator, nor was his demeanor or bearing

reminiscent of a seasoned West Point man.

 

Within a few days, we perceived him as a middle aged, laid back,

no nonsense guy who spent most of his time touring the harbor

area, visiting my supply room, our rigging shed, examining and

testing our equipment, taking soundings in the harbor area,

searching under the docks, examining the breakwater, and asking

everyone their name - and - what do you do here?

 

We weren't used to an officer who often wore his hat on backward,

and didn't have the patience for saluting and other Army protocol.

 

Alexander Brindle owned a cannery, a small fishing fleet, a local

newspaper, and had his fingers in other ventures - I believe in

Juneau, Alaska.  Alaskan General Headquarters heard of him,

his experience with boats in and around the Aleutians, told him

of the problems in Shemya - getting boats in and out  - both Army

and Navy boats that often needed men rescued from floundering

in the heavy seas.  This patriotic guy put his businesses in the hands

of others, accepted the Major commission, left his family, and

we suspected that he never had a day of Army training but was

more valuable for his experience and he proved it time and time

again.  When Japan surrendered, he took his leave to return to

his businesses, and his family.

 

He made a very generous gesture - - - an offer to consider any of

the outfit's 60 men to look him up for a job when they were

discharged.  I have no way of knowing if anyone took him up.