Comments from Ronald D. Condle, son of Eugene J. Condle, Jr. –

"A signal flag signed by my father’s classmates. Some of the names of the signatures are found on your web site; thanks, you solved a mystery for over 25 years (since my Dad’s death). I also never did convince my mother that it wasn’t a Japanese flag from Okinawa. Again, the flag was folded to fit the scanner."

 

Additional comments received by eMail at ArmySignalOCS on 29 august 2012, from Ron Condle, son: 

"I always thought there would be plenty of time to discuss my father’s WWII experience when he retired but that time never came. Dad was on the second wave, if you will, to Okinawa and his unit was responsible for rebuilding/installing the communication lines. He was downwind from the action and repeated several times ‘the stench from a battle is a smell one never forgets’. Other than being a passenger in a Jeep when the brakes failed (so he claimed) and changing a two wheeled hand cart filled with vegetables and rice to kindling, that’s the only story I have. The signal flag is not silk but of cloth; cotton or cotton/wool would be my best guess. It is almost 17” square."

 

 

"This telegram from Capt. W K Shaffer, dated April 26, 1944, references Lt. T J Collum; both of these signatures appear on the flag. Since ROTC appears, I want to say this is some type of added instruction/orders to report from his junior year in college."

 

OCS Class Picture for class 44-34.

             Lieutenant Eugene J. Condle, front row, first person left, and below. 

 

 

"Other items that might be of interest. Officer of the day notice."

Letter of commendation to Lt. Condle –

 

"Dad was sent to Korea directly after WWII. I don’t know when he obtained the rank of 1st Lt.; perhaps during or after Korea, he was also in the reserves during the 1950’s."