Glen Mckellar

GLEN MACK McKELLAR IDAHO FALLS, ID - Glen Mack McKellar, 83, of Idaho Falls, Idaho died November 24, 2003, at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Glen Mack McKellar born July 16, 1920, in Blackfoot, Idaho to Glen Donald McKellar and Grace Emily Simmons McKellar. He has a sister, Glenona, a half brother, Edwin, and a nephew, Allen and his son. He enjoyed fishing, playing pool with his good friend Bert Armstrong, spending winters in Arizona, and yard work. He attended school in Blackfoot. He married Ardath Evans Skinnadore. Ardath passed away and is survived by her children, Mardin and Judy, 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Glen married Gloria Sandley Lima in Idaho Falls. Her children are Charlotte, Shannon and John. There are 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. They made their home in Idaho Falls. Glen was 22 years old when he volunteered for the draft on November 18, 1942 in San Francisco, CA. Six hard weeks in basic training and then sent to Fort Hancock, New Jersey to the 5100 signal service battalion. He trained for six months at Fort Hancock and Fort Mometh, New Jersey, then was sent to the 16th armored division as communications specialist. While there, he was assigned to 6 weeks in Fort Sill, OK as an artillery range communications specialist. After six weeks, he returned to Fort Smith, Arkansas, then sent to the 14th armored division as a fill-in for communications. He then went to Marsai, France, where he did his first combat service in the Black Forest. From there, he went to Munich, Germany, where, on New Years Eve, he served on the flank during the battle of the bulge. Glen served in the 3rd Armored Division and the movie, “Roll of Thunder” was based on this segment of his service days with rain, fog, mud and snow and getting fired on. He served under General Patton, the Gen. Hodges and Gen. Rose. He crossed the Rhine River and was fired upon and pushed back by the Germans many times. He continued his service at Patterborne training station witnessing the shooting of General Maurice Rose. On to Knowhousin, where thousands of soldier lay dead five days before the war ended. He had a 3-day leave in Paris, France where they enjoyed coffee, pop and sandwiches at the U.S.O. He went back to the coast of France via cattle car then shipped to the U.S. on a two-week boat trrip to New York, then a troop train to San Antonio. He was discharged after 3 years of service. His stories were published in the Stars and Stripes military news all over the United States.