It Is an Honor to Serve

This was a school assigned topic, but now I look at it not just as a topic, but as an opportunity to honor someone very special. I dedicate this post to my dear Grandaddy.

Name: Robert Watt Scales Jr.

Birth: February 7, 1922

Passed away on: February 12, 2007

Served: WWII and in the Korean War.


The information displayed below was given by my grandma, (Robert W. Scales' wife, Elaine Scales.) All the the answers to the questions are some sort of what my granddaddy's answers may have been.

Grandaddy was an unimaginably sweet, kind, gentle, loving gentleman. He was born on February 7, 1922 and sadly passed away from the disease of Alzheimer's on February 12, 2007, two days before Valentine's Day. As heart breaking as it was and still is, my mommy said, "Maybe God had him pass away two days before Valentine's Day because he was such a sweetheart." I believe she is right.

Granddaddy loved the Lord and believed that Jesus Christ came down on earth to die on the cross for all our sins. He loved his family and his friends so much. He was true gentleman and everyone knew it. He never really got mad or angry at his children and his grandchildren.  Or if he ever did get a little upset, it was because he loved his loved ones and wanted  to make sure that they didn't get hurt. He honestly portrayed Jesus' love towards others. His love was undying and unfailing. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 "It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love NEVER fails."  Those two scripture verses describe what Granddaddy was, a loving person.

Now that you know a little about my dear grandaddy, you may read my interview from my grandma about Granddaddy and his thoughts about serving in the wars. I know he would be humble yet proud to know that others are reading about him and how he served the U.S.A. Please read on.




(Questions answered by Elaine Scales about former veteran, the late Robert Scales.)

Q. Me: Which wars did Granddaddy serve in?
A. Grandma: He served in the Korean war and I think he served in the WWII war.

Q. Me: What was his title?
A. Grandma: He was an Lieutenant Commander.

Q. Me: What was his job or assignment?
A: Grandma: He was a pilot.

Q. Me: Did he have any family or friends in the service or doing war work?
A. Grandma: His brother Joe Scales was in combat and his cousin Buddy Edwards was in the war. They both served in WWII and in the Korean war.

Q. Me: Did Grandaddy know anyone besides his brother and cousin who were killed or wounded in the war?
A. Grandma: Yes. One of his friends died and he had to ride on a train with the casket (the body of his friend), during the whole train ride.

Q. Me: Where did he live or work during he war?
A. Grandma: He was kind of in different places. Like he flew once with an admiral from Hawaii to South America.

Q. Me: Did the war have any effect on him physically or mentally?
A. Grandma: No. He brought men back and forth that were hurt. It actually helped him become stronger. But he wasn't on the grounds fighting so he didn't see any killings.

Q. Me: Did he live with family or friends or coworkers during the war?
A. Grandma: He lived on the base.

Q. Me: What was his most memorable experience?
A. Grandma: Serving with Admiral 'Bull' Halsey. His real name was Bill but everyone else just called him 'Bull'.

Q. Me: What was his most memorable character?
A. Grandma: 'Bull' Halsey.

Q. Me: How did he entertain himself outside of work?
A. Grandma: Golfing.

Q. Me: How did he feel about the war?
A. Grandma: He didn't talk about it that much. His brother, Uncle Joe was on the ground.

Q. Me: Did he ever worry that our side might not win?
A. Grandma: No.

Q. Me: Did his views change over the span of war?
A. Grandma: Not really.

Q. Me: How did he feel about the war news from television?
A. Grandma: He didn't like it. He didn't like the way the war was portrayed because the news people didn't really know about how the war was.

Q. Me: How did he feel about antiwar protestants?
A. Grandma: He thought it was their right, but when they became rude or ugly they had to stop because they crossed the line.

Q. Me: Is there anything that you would like to add to this about Granddaddy?
A. Grandma: He wanted to be in combat. It really bothered him that he couldn't, because his brother (Joe), was already in combat. So they wouldn't allow him to. When they asked his mother what she thought she said that she felt proud that her son wanted to serve.


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I hope that from reading this you get a glimpse of what a remarkable, extrordinary person my granddaddy was. Not because he served in the war, although that is wonderful, but because he loved his family. We love you and we miss you Granddaddy!

                                  Love, Sarah Anne