Q&A: GI George

Sunday, May 28, 2000 | 9:41 a.m.

George Brookman says he can't remember what he had for breakfast, but he can remember the names of the men who lived and died beside him in World War II.

"I can remember the guys' names who landed on the beaches with me as plain as I can see them," the 81-year-old Las Vegan said.

Brookman spent five years in the Army, two of them fighting the Japanese in the Pacific theater during World War II. In addition to a combat infantryman's badge, he received a Bronze Star Medal and three bronze stars for ribbons received for three assault landings.

In 1953 Brookman and his wife, Eileen, moved to Las Vegas, where he became a building contractor and she entered politics, serving in the state Assembly from 1967-78 and again from 1987-90. The couple have been married 59 years.

Brookman survived a war that claimed approximately 400,000 American lives.

Monday is Memorial Day, when the nation pays homage to those who died in war. The Sun recently interviewed Brookman about his World War II experiences.

Las Vegas Sun: Do you do anything special to observe Memorial Day?

George Brookman: No. It's just another day to me. Oh, I'll have some private thoughts, but after the war I never got involved with (any veterans groups).

Sun: Why not?

GB: Only a small fraction of military personnel physically see combat. If 500,000 soldiers are involved in a campaign, only about 50,000 are the fighters. The rest are backup, in supplies and other support details. I didn't particularly care to associate with guys who weren't of my caliber (combat infantry) ... not that my caliber is any better than anyone else. Look, I was in the infantry and I tried to get out but couldn't. I wrote a letter and asked them to put me in the military police. People were getting killed where I was and I didn't particularly like it. But I couldn't get out ... I have a combat infantry badge. Not too many have that ... I built up a resentment about participating in the American Legion with some rear-echelon commandos. Don't misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with (veterans organizations), it's just that I had different experiences.

Sun: Tell us about them.

GB: (When the war began he was a sergeant in the California National Guard.) In March of '41 (after the guard was activated) we went to San Luis Obispo (Calif.) for training. Three days before Pearl Harbor we were put on alert. We knew something was going to happen, we just didn't know what.

Then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. I was sent to Ogden, Utah. They gave me a platoon to guard the railroad bridge over the Great Salt Lake at Promontory Point. We were supposed to guard it from Japanese saboteurs. There were a lot of Japanese farmers in the area, but they were as American as any American.

In April 1942 I was sent to Officers Candidate School. (Eventually) I was sent to New Caledonia (in the South Pacific), where I joined the 40th Division ... We made three major landings (in the Philippines): the island of Luzon on July 9, 1945; then the island of Panay; then, after a few weeks, the island of Negros. I was a platoon leader in a rifle company.

One particular incident I remember, we were attacking a hill and my lead scout right in front of me got it in the side. I pulled him back, gave him a shot of morphine and called for my aid man. As he was coming up, he got hit.

After several months on Negros we pulled back to Panay, where I was regimental munitions and ordnance officer. We were loading ships with ammunition, getting ready to hit Japan. Then America dropped the bomb. If not for that, my division would have been the first to hit the Japanese mainland.

Sun: What did you do after the war?

GB: I went back to the Los Angeles Police Department, where I had worked a short time before I went into the Army. I was there in 1946 when a cop I used to work with was killed (by a robbery suspect).

My father (a building contractor) said to me, "Hey, you just got through with this (killing in combat). Why don't you quit and come into business with me?" I worked with him until I resigned in 1953 and my wife and I came here. We've been here ever since. I bought a little motel ... down the road and across the street from the Showboat. When things were slow (at the motel) I worked ... as a carpenter. In '59 I sold the motel and became a contractor ... One thing led to another and I built the first exhibit hall at the Dunes. I built the Silver Nugget in North Las Vegas. I did a lot of school work, built a few banks. In 1979 or '80 I was with a group that took over ownership of (KVBC) Channel 3 from Donrey Media. I sold my interest a few years later.

Sun: What did you think about the Vietnam War?

GB: I had mixed feelings. I didn't think initially that we were out of place being there, but as things developed my feelings changed. I thought we should not have been there. I thought we got into some deep trouble and couldn't get out.

Sun: What are your thoughts on today's military?

GB: During World War II we had the draft. We had it up till after the Vietnam (War). Back then we had a pretty good military. There were all sorts of people from all walks of life. But as soon as we went to an all-volunteer military we got guys just looking for a home. It's a tough situation. I think we need to re-institute the draft. In Israel every man must serve in the army for three years, girls (for) two. Then everyone is in the reserves and subject to recall until they're 55.

Sun: What is the role of the military today?

GB: We're trying to be everybody's big brother. We can't do it. We should start pulling our horns in and pay attention to our own business, take care of our own people, our own problems. Billions of dollars are being spent on foreign aid. It would be better spent here at home improving the lifestyle of some of the poor folks.