The first of those brave men died Seventy Years Ago Today...
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| John M. Randall |
The Los Angeles Fire Department suffered it first war casualty when Staff Sergeant John M. Randall lost his life near Shreveport, La. The army bomber in which he was serving as bombardier-navigator, crashed while on a training flight from Barksdale Field where he was stationed. The accident occurred the morning of April 19, 1943.
John Randall joined the Los Angeles Fire Department May 10, 1941. After completing his training at the department drill tower he served his probation in a number of companies in district eleven. He served the major portion of his time with the department at Engine Company 11, at 1819 West Seventh Street.
Joining the United States Army July 29, 1942, he requested and received appointment to the Army Air Corps. At Las Vegas, Nev., Randall received training in Gunnery School. Upon completion there he was transferred to Carlsbad, N.M., where he went through training of both bombardier and navigator schools. He was then transferred to Barksdale Field, Louisiana, and promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was undergoing further training at the time of the crash.
John Randall was born February 4, 1917, ironically, during the early fury of World War I. He is survived by his father, three brothers, and three sisters, most of them living in the Middle Western states. One sister, Mrs. Irene Taylor, lives in Los Angeles. A brother Marvin, is a member of the Army Coast Artillery, stationed at Seattle, Wash.
In 1934, young Randall graduated from Jennings High School and lived with his father until 1936. In May of that year he joined the Civilian Defense Corps. spending six months in Oberlin, Kan., and six months at Salmon City, Idaho. For about a year he worked in Denver, Colo., and then spent a time in a logging camp in Oregon. Later he migrated to Los Angeles and, after a short time, joined the Fire Department.
Every station at which young Randall worked, the reaction of all the members to him was just the same. In the parlance of the engine house, John was a "right guy." Cheerful and willing, he was always ready to do even more than his share of the work around quarters. At a fire, if there was any choice, he was always in there taking the hot, or heavy work. With a smile that was infectious, he had a spirit that seemed to buoy anyone up that was around him. In the short time he was with the fire service he gained many friends around the department. They will miss him. When war was declared, like many another, he was visibly affected. Repeatedly he said "The least I can do is to get in there and help. His patriotism was intense and sincere. As many American lads already have, and as many will yet do, John Randall gave his life that America might defeat her enemies and once again bring freedom and sanity back to the world.
On a bright December morning
When the Japanese attacked us
Without a word of warning.
When all the shooting started
I was a peaceful man;
But now I'll go down fighting,
A defender of our land.
When Uncle Sammy told us
Some Gunners he would need,
I listened to his pleading,
And to his word, took heed.
Now a Gunner has a tough job,
No glory will he get,
But a Yankee Gunner never
Has run from danger yet.
So I listened not to rumors
that said I was a fool,
For when it comes to shooting
A Yank is sure to rule.
So I became a Gunner,
Through study and hard work;
For now I had a duty
Which I had no wish to shirk.
And when it is all over,
I'll know I've done my part;
And I'll come flying home again
With peace inside my heart.
By Staff Sergeant John M. Randall
474th Bomb Squadron
Barksdale Field, La.
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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
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