encore Caught Ya B
An aviation cadet in the Army Air Corps suspects his roommate is stealing from him and comes up with a creative — and embarrassing — way to prove it.
Back in the early 1940s and the days of my fl ight training as a cadet pilot in the Army Air Corps, life moved at a very fast and regimented pace based on the sys- tems at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. In advanced fl ying school, cadets were billeted two cadets per cubicle with two beds, two small dressers, two small desks, and one large closet. All uniforms hung neatly and in order to wear. All pockets were sewn shut. To clear my eardrums while fl ying at high altitude, I developed a habit of chewing Beech-Nut Chiclet gum. Many times while at class or work, in rank, or during close-order drill, I was caught chewing gum like a contented Jersey cow and given demerits or gigs. As a reward on Saturday after dress
parade and room inspections, instead of going on open post, I walked off my demerits. Walking off demerits consisted of wearing full dress uniform and white gloves and carrying a Springfi eld rifl e while walking at attention for one hour for every three demerits. I usually had 15 to 20 demerits for the weekend, so good- bye open post. I kept my gum in my dresser drawer
with my neatly rolled socks, but for some reason, my supply kept going down. The box was nearly empty, so I asked my fel- low cadet roommate from Virginia if he had borrowed any. He sheepishly said no and walked away.
84 MILITARY OFFICER DECEMBER 2011 A few days later, as I was going to
the PX, I noticed a small display sign for Feen-A-Mint. For those who do not know, Feen-A-Mint is a laxative tablet that looks similar to Chiclet chewing gum in size and color. A light went on in my mind; I purchased a box and went back to my cubicle at cadet quarters. I emptied the Chiclets from their container and replaced them with the Feen-A-Mint tablets and then returned the pack- age to its usual place in my dresser drawer. I waited that evening for the culprit who was taking my gum to reveal himself through the agony he would experience from the laxative. I was awakened that eve-
ning by groans and moans from my roommate, who kept getting up and going to the latrine. I asked him what the problem was, and he said it was the GI food, but I knew diff erently. On the following day, after some
questioning, he admitted to the theft. It became a big joke, and we both laughed until we almost cried. No one ever took my gum again.
MO
— Alfred A. Dilembo is a retired Army cap- tain. He lives in Pittsburgh. For submission information, see page 18.
Tell Your Story Submit your service- related adventures (or mishaps) by email to
encore@moaa.org or by mail to Encore Editor, 201 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. All submissions will be con- sidered for publication.
ILLUSTRATION: MARILYN JANOVITZ
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