“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.
