The Ohls & World War II part 2
Ferris joined the 86th Division, called the Black Hawk Division at Camp Howze near Denton TX. Dorothy enrolled in school there and started work on her music degree at the Texas State School for Women.
From there Ferris went to Fort Leavenworth, KS for Command and General Staff School where all officers with higher rank and himself as the only 1st. Lieutenant worked their way through a very tough course. Only two thirds made it through the school. After graduating, Ferris rose to the rank of Captain.
They were sent back with the division to Camp Howze for a brief time, and then traveled to Camp Livingston, Louisana where the general ordered winter maneuvers. The weather was cold and damp. Sometimes food wouldn't arrive for the men because of the mud. They stayed there six months and the hot humid weather was no better.
After Camp Livingston, the whole division was moved to California for amphibious training near St. Luis Obispo. Dorothy and two other army wives drove their cars across the Mojave Desert. One enlisted man accompanied them. There was no air conditioning then and they had to drive across the desert at night. This move was one of 23 different postings in the States in which the wives and belongings followed.
In the midst of amphibious training, the 86th was sent to Europe to help in containing the German Army in the Battle of the Bulge. Dorothy remained in Texas. Ferris' unit was part of General Patton's command. Ferris has a clear memory of General Patton standing at the far end of a pontoon bridge across the Rhine River, swearing at the men to hurry. Ferris' job overseas was planning to move the troops. He received two Bronze Stars for meritorious service. As the war was winding down and the Germans were defeated, he remembers sitting on the porch of Bertchesgarten, Hitler's mountain retreat shortly after he committed suicide. Then he spent two months at Heidelberg, Germany with his division as occupation troops.
Sadly, after V-J Day, the celebration of Japan's surrender, he and his unit were sent to the Philippines to rout out the Japanese, who were holed up in fox holes and didn't know the war was over. They lost more men there than in any other action.
Coming back from the Philippines, Ferris, now a Major, was appointed Ship Executive because of his rank and the number of hours he had been at sea. He remembers many servicemen being very sick on the rough voyage home.
Ferris was discharged in Houston in April of 1946. He went to Cincinnati to finish work on his Master's Degree. Dorothy who had continued her education in Texas was able to take two correspondence courses to finish her degree in music. Then they came to Heidelberg where they have remained ever since except for two sabbaticals at Columbia Teacher's College. He also spent 14 summers there and obtained his Doctor's degree in 1954.
The Ohls have two daughters, Vicki who teaches piano and theory at Heidelberg, and Laura who chairs the English Department at Seminole Community College near Orlando, Florida. They have three grandchildren, Susan and Benjamin Braley and Kevin Ross.
Under Ferris' leadership, the Heidelberg Music Department became one of the finest in Ohio. His choir, generally over 100 members, became well known throughout the East and Midwest. They gave concerts at many United Church of Christ churches. The Heidelberg Choir also traveled overseas and gave concerts. They were always involved with the Messiah. Of course, Dorothy played the piano at all of these events.
Dorothy and Ferris retired in 1985. She continues to play for many recitals and events at Heidelberg. In 1991, Dorothy and Ferris were awarded the Outstanding Alumni Citation.
The Ohls have a beautiful home on Woodmere Drive. Their enjoyment of golf continues as they both play regularly at the Mohawk Golf Club and elsewhere. They enjoy gardening, both flowers and early vegetables. At this time, they have harvested lettuce, broccoli, peppers, zucchini, potatoes, and snow peas.
It is apparent that they were very, very important for the life and function of Heidelberg College in the 2nd half of the 20th Century.
– Percy & Mary