It’s been 81 years since the Allied forces invaded the beach at Normandy in northern France — a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of the end of World War II. As the world pauses to remember the bravery and sacrifice of those troops, two residents at Farmington Presbyterian Manor pause to reflect on their service in World War II.
John Garland and Arthur “Knot” Ragsdale shared stories from the trenches and how their experiences shaped who they are today.
From WWII guard to inspiring English teacher
John Garland, a 99-year-old from Perryville, Arkansas, took up welding at age 16, quit high school when he was a junior and moved to Seattle to weld in the shipyards until entering the service at 18. Living with an injured foot from childhood, John was in limited service and recalls his work stationed as a guard at a camp in Turrell, Arkansas, close to West Memphis.
“We had a tent city where German prisoners would be taken by trucks to farms to work. It was cotton picking time when I was there. All the prisoners were working in teams in the fields. I would ride on horseback as a guard during the day and then we’d bring them back to the camp at night where they would cook for us.
John Garland served in World War II.
“Another time I was in Tullahoma, Tennessee, at a camp with an artillery range they were turning back into civilian life. We lined up German POWs – 15 in a line – and had them walking through the fields looking for unexploded shells. When we found one, we would mark it and a demolition crew would come and defuse it. The POWs lived in these camps and were cooks in the kitchen. They were good, and once in a while they would make a German dish for us. There were lots of rabbits in Tullahoma, so one time I borrowed someone’s shot gun and went rabbit hunting and brought them back for the prisoners. They made a dish for us that they would fix in Germany.”
While stationed in the states, John was assigned to serve as a guard on a ship returning German POWs to France where they were then put on boxcars to return to Germany.
“It was quite a trip going on that boat,” said John. “We got into a typhoon coming back and one of the two ships lost a propellor.”
John’s granddaughter crocheted this flag.
When he arrived back in the states after that journey, John served for two years until he was honorably discharged. He then entered college and married his childhood sweetheart, Berniece.
“We grew up together and had one child. Berniece was always a supporter and said she’d go where I want to go. We had a happy marriage of 60 years,” said John.
After graduating college in 1959, John and his family moved to Centerville, Missouri, where he taught for two years. Then they moved to Lesterville, Missouri, where he taught high school English from 1961 to 1995. While some of his former students are 75 years old, he stays in touch with many of them through Facebook.
“I had some great students,” shares John. “Some had great complements saying, ‘You taught me how to write’ and ‘You helped me get a job.’ One even told me, ‘Mr. Garland, you were the best teacher I ever had.’ I’m very pleased with the legacy I left there.”
John has “no regrets” about choosing to move to Farmington Presbyterian Manor 12 years ago after the passing of his wife. He enjoys connecting with friends on his two Facebook accounts as well as taking photos when the seasons change – he has even entered his work in the Manor’s Art is Ageless® competition.
Life in the driver’s seat
Arthur Ragsdale, or “Knot” as most people know him, is from Park Hills, Missouri and got his nickname in second grade from his dad after he and a classmate ran smack into each other at school and he ended up with a large knot on his head. The name stuck and has been used affectionately by friends, family, comrades and customers ever since.
“Knot” was also most likely the name used on the paperwork he submitted when registering for basic training at age 18. He was put in the infantry and originally went to Africa in the armored tank unit but was later assigned to the motor pool to drive a Jeep.
Arthur “Knot” Ragsdale with his daughter Tamra Uding on his 101st birthday.
Today, at 101 years old, Knot recalls, “Our duties were to take care of the division because we weren’t fighting at that time. I took men back and forth across Africa whenever available. That was quite a drive, and we had to have an armed man with us.”
From Africa, Knot was sent to Naples, Italy, where he went into combat and – as one of the drivers in a motor pool – was also assigned to drive a colonel through the country.
“I was in the frontline unit and was responsible for driving the colonel in and out of combat. It was a lucky break to drive for the staff colonel, and I was the only one who drove him,” said Knot. “He took care of all the important stuff since he was in charge of personnel. I had to be available where and when he needed me. He and I were both stubborn, but he took care of me, and I took care of him. He and I had our differences of opinion on how I drove, too, but I let him know that I had my way of driving. We had some deep trails we had to break in with the Jeep – some were mighty rough. They would bounce him around like a rubber ball.”
Arthur “Knot” Ragsdale in front of a wreath made by his niece.
After serving for three years in WWII, Knot returned home to drive a delivery truck for two local grocery stores. “I was always driving something,” he said.
He also met his wife, Wanda Lou, at church. “She was an important part of my life because we made music together in church – I directed the choir, and she was the pianist. We worked together all the time.”
After working three years in the mines and then as the service man at the furniture and appliance store one of his brothers owned, Knot and his wife worked together running Knots Appliance Repair, a business the couple ran out of the detached garage they had at their home.
Married for 68 years, the two had six children, 14 grandkids and “maybe” 19 great-grandkids. Many of them were with him in 2023 when he celebrated his 100th birthday.
Living Legacies
As the world honors the heroes of D-Day, the stories of John Garland and Arthur “Knot” Ragsdale remind us that history lives on—not only in textbooks, but in the wisdom, resilience and quiet strength of the veterans who live in all of our PMMA communities. Let’s honor their service, share their histories, and let them inspire us going forward!
