Recollections of Harry Oder AKA "The Weird Doctor Oder"
If each of you would provide answers for the following questions, it would help establish the overall framework.
1. When did you become involved with the Showmobile/Soldier Show?
I was a draftee, two year guy. Inducted 25 Jan 1965. After basic at Ft Polk LA, I was stationed at Ft Campbell, KY in the 21st
Ordnance Company attached to the 101st Airborne. I went TDY to Shomobile at Ft. McPherson on the 28th of July 1966.
2. How did you become involved?
By a happy accident, in what must have been a Skippy Lynn related program, the barrack next to one used by my company at Ft. Campbell served
as rehearsal hall and storage for an entertainment program. The program put on shows for the children of Army personnel stationed at
Ft. Campbell. The civilian director and army volunteers would meet at the barrack evenings to work on shows. I got interested and helped with technical, lighting,
sound, set building etc. Through this contact, I got a short TDY assignment with another Army traveling show, Pizzaz. For some reason I ended up on stage, in the
chorus line, and in what was supposed to be a solo comic routine, I was so bad I don't want to think about it. Then back at Ft Campbell, I heard that the
Third Army Soldier Show director was coming to Ft Campbell, and would be looking for talent. I met Gill Gross and told him I was good with sound equipment,
which actually I was, HiFi and other sound electronics had been a hobby since I was a little kid.
3. When were you with the show....how long?
When I went TDY to Ft, McPherson, I had only six months remaining in my active duty tour. Doug Crumpler thought I might re enlist, he got my duty MOS changed
to 03B20, Entertainment Specialist. But I really just wanted out when my time was up. Hind sight is 2020, might not have been such a bad idea to re enlist,
I was already a SP5, made that grade back on the 21st of June, 1966.
4. What functions did you serve?
The entire time I was with the show I was responsible for setting up, operating, tearing down, and first level maintenance of the sound equipment. This was
the newer system purchased from Baker Audio in Atlanta that replaced the small amplifier that Doug Crumpler describes operating.
5. In what productions did you participate?
6. Have you maintained contact with any other show personnel?
7. Do you have a website or other on-line presence?
8. Do you think your experiences as a member of the show had an effect on you post-military life?
