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“Maytear” Washer
This washing machine is a replica of the original Model 1951
washer designed by Hal Spencer of Athens while he was in Korea. Hal
was a member of Co. B, 1343rd (Combat) Engineer Battalion. The
1343rd was an Alabama National Guard unit activated in Athens,
Decatur and Hartselle, Al., in 1950 to serve in the Korean Conflict.
The Army laundry service was less than desirable, so necessity again
proved the mother of invention. While Company B was in areas more
remote from enemy action, they supplemented their personal laundry
service by employing South Korean “Washie-Washie” ladies to do their
laundry. The ladies washed clothing in local streams. They would rub
or pound the soiled spots with smooth stream rocks as a substitute
for soap they didn’t have.
The Washie-Washie laundry service came to a screeching halt when
headquarters learned of it. So Hal improvised. He used two
scoured-out oil drums for the wash and rinse cycles, powered by a
gasoline motor. Brig. Gen. (Ret.) H. Clyde Mabry of Athens, who
commanded “the boys,” says he never inquired where the gasoline
motor came from and no one volunteered the information. It seems
“midnight requisitions” were commonplace among the units
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