Sixteen Schools, One Diploma: My Unforgettable Journey Through Military Family Life

by Chuck Yarling

My dad, Byron (Barney) Hendricks Yarling, was born on July 28, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana. If there was anything that made him stand out from others born in that city, it would be that one of his high school classmates was author Kurt Vonnegut, well-known for Slaughterhouse-Five.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, in January 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and trained as an aircraft engine repair mechanic. During WWII, he was stationed in over ten countries in the Middle East. After returning to the States, he married my mom, Clara Catherine Wingo, in Kansas City, MO.

In early 1945, my dad was stationed at Pyote Rattlesnake Bomber Base in East Texas. Later, he transferred to Fort Bliss in El Paso, where I was born at William G. Beaumont Hospital on May 8, 1945—the same day Victory in Europe (VE) Day was announced in America. After the war, he joined the National Guard.

Following the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950, my dad received a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and was immediately stationed at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, IL.

Looking back, the places I lived and the schools I attended shaped my experiences in ways I couldn’t have understood at the time. Each move brought new challenges, friendships, and lessons—some uplifting, others painful. What follows is a journey through the many schools I attended, each leaving its mark on my life in a unique way.

Unless stated otherwise, the following school changes were due to my dad being reassigned to another base.

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1st Grade (Sept 1951 – May 1952)

Rantoul Elementary School, Chanute AFB, Rantoul, IL

I have a couple of memories from my time here. The most important was learning to ride my first bicycle—with training wheels.

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2nd Grade (Sept 1952 – Dec 1952)

Elementary School, Mascoutah Public Schools, Scott AFB, IL

I remember going to the on-base movie theater with my parents and sister, lying on sheets as we watched a science fiction film. It might have been The Day the Earth Stood Still.

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2nd Grade (Dec 1952 – Mar 1953)

Campus Elementary School, Southwest Texas State Teachers College, San Marcos, TX

My dad was stationed at San Marcos AFB, so we lived in a rented house.

It was here that I met Dan “Danny” Scott, who is still my friend to this day.

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2nd Grade (Mar 1953 – May 1953) & 3rd Grade (Sept 1953 – Dec 1953)

I.W. Popham Elementary School, Bergstrom AFB, TX

We finally moved into base housing at Bergstrom AFB. One memory stands out: listening to the New York Yankees win the national baseball championship on the radio.

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3rd Grade (Dec 1953 – Feb 1954)

Askew Elementary School, Kansas City, MO

While at Bergstrom AFB, my mother severely injured her back after falling in the bathtub. She was sent to a military hospital, most likely Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Since my dad couldn’t care for us alone, my sister and I were sent to live temporarily with my mother’s aunt.

I learned to play canasta with my cousin Michael. On school days, my sister and I walked to the neighborhood school.

One morning, we arrived to find policemen lining both sides of the sidewalk leading up to the school. We later learned that Black children were now attending our school—part of Kansas City’s effort to prepare for the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education ruling in May 1954.

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3rd Grade (Feb 1954 – May 1954)

I.W. Popham Elementary School, Bergstrom AFB, TX

We returned to Bergstrom AFB and resumed school. Here, our dog, Buzzy, was tragically killed by the drunken wife of an officer who lived nearby.

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4th Grade (Sept 1954 – May 1955)

Campus Elementary School, Southwest Texas State Teachers College, San Marcos, TX

My dad bought a house in San Marcos, so my sister and I attended another elementary school on the college campus.

I remember pouring peanuts into my bottle of Dr. Pepper at lunch and being enamored with a wonderful young girl named Lynn.

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5th Grade (Sept 1955 – May 1956)

James Bowie Elementary School, San Marcos, TX

San Marcos built a new elementary school on the east side of what is now I-35, and students from that area were required to attend.

We learned to play the flutophone, crochet and knit, sing songs about Texas, and dance.

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6th Grade (Sept 1956 – Jan 1957)

P.S. 66 Elementary School, Indianapolis, IN

In the summer of 1956, my dad was stationed at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, for electronics school. My mother needed another operation, so my sister and I were sent to live with my grandparents in Indianapolis—the same house where my dad and his six brothers grew up.

My sister, the first girl in generations, could do no wrong. Everything else was my fault. My escape was the neighbors’ house, where I watched The Mickey Mouse Club since my grandmother wouldn’t allow it. That’s when I discovered Annette Funicello!

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6th Grade (Jan 1957 – May 1957)

Dukate Elementary School, Biloxi, MS

We reunited with our dad in Biloxi. That summer, I met Kay, my first girlfriend. We played Spin the Bottle, and when it landed on Kay, she kissed me—my first kiss! When the bottle pointed at me, I froze. Later, I found out I could have kissed Kay again. Yep, I messed up!

I also played trumpet in the school band.

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7th Grade (Sept 1957 – Oct 1957)

Biloxi Junior High School, Biloxi, MS

I attended for only two months before my dad got orders for a radar site in northern Japan. We moved back to our house in San Marcos, TX.

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7th & 8th Grades (Oct 1957 – Dec 1958)

San Marcos Junior High School, San Marcos, TX

Many classmates from earlier grades were here. I played in the band and competed in the regional contest in San Antonio, winning a few medals.

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8th & 9th Grades (Dec 1958 – May 1960)

Dixie County High School, Cross City, FL

My dad was stationed at a radar site near Cross City. This was a rough period—I was bullied, even beaten up by my only friend. My saving grace was my science and English teachers, a married couple who looked out for me and paid me to babysit their children.

I later learned my dad arranged for me to attend school in Gainesville—for my safety.

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10th Grade (Sept 1960 – Jan 1961)

Gainesville High School, Gainesville, FL

A massive school with dozens of fraternities and sororities. I joined the Latin Club and the band.

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10th – 12th Grades (Jan 1961 – May 1963)

Fort Knox High School, Fort Knox, KY

I excelled here—participating in band, the Kentucky All-State Band (twice), the German Club, and the Chess Club. My grades earned me the title of Salutatorian.

After graduation, I flew to San Marcos to attend Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State University)—but that, along with the other four universities I attended, is another story!

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Chuck Yarling 

Spec 5, US Army

HQ Co., 26th Combat Engineering Bn.

Chu Lai, Vietnam (1969-1970)

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.