Former Deputy Commander recalls time at RRAD

Al Melde and wife Jo are seen in this a comparison photo in March 1974 (left) when he received the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal and on the right during a recent interview with the couple. Melde served as the depot's executive assistant (deputy commander) from 1964 to 1986.
Al Melde and wife Jo are seen in this a comparison photo in March 1974 (left) when he received the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal and on the right during a recent interview with the couple. Melde served as the depot's executive assistant (deputy commander) from 1964 to 1986.

RRAD Public Affairs Officer

"My mind won't let me remember much," Al Melde said as the interview began.

Contrary to his words he remembers many more things than some people half his age.

At 98-years-old Melde, who served as Red River Army Depot's executive assistant (now titled deputy commander), is as sharp as they come.

He remembers everything from when commuter trains dropped off employees near the main gate to the massive amount of work carried out during the Korean War.

"I've lived through more than a few wars," he said.

Melde's career began during the height of World War II in August 1941 as a clerk at the Baytown Ordnance Works in Baytown, Texas. During the same month, Red River marked its opening by making its first shipment of ammunition.

Melde would later transfer to Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant before beginning at Red River in 1945 as a property and supply officer. He quickly moved his way up through a variety of leadership positions in both mission and support areas serving as chief of the Ammunition Division, chief of the Inspection Division, chief of the General Supply Storage Division and deputy director for Services. He assumed his duties as executive assistant in 1964.

Melde recalls the employment rate reaching nearly 12,000 people during the Korean War.

"We had so much work to do during the Korean War a lot of times we didn't get off until 8 the next morning after being there since 4 the afternoon before," he said.

The amount of memories are endless with Melde.

"During the Korean War, I don't remember how many of hundreds of thousands of 105mm we loaded but we would ship them out to Bridgeport, Conn.," he said. "There was a young man who worked with us who talked constantly. After we had de-primed the ammunition, we were getting ready to ship them to Bridgeport in a box car and this young man was talking as usual and his false teeth fell out and trickled down through the cracks of that eight foot high box of ammunition. So we were like what do we do? Do we unload all this ammo and try to find them?

"We didn't unload it but instead decided to call Bridgeport Brass and tell them what happened. They said they would look for them and sure enough he got his teeth mailed back to him."

During his career at Red River, Melde worked under 22 commanders. He was the first Red River employee to receive the Meritorious Civilian Service Award with Laurel Leaf Cluster.

"The Commander (Col. Nathan I. Reiter) who selected me for the executive position is probably one commander during my time who had the most desire for the workload at Red River," he said. "He called himself the ash and trash man meaning that if there were any difficult work that needed to be done, he wanted Red River to be the place to do it."

According to Melde, Reiter's "can do" attitude kept Red River extremely busy.

"Red River would get more work than other places because of Col. Reiter's motto," Melde said. "We had a tremendous bunch of people there and we still do. From then until now, I think people have been willing to do a good job."

After 45 years of service Melde retired in January 1986. He served as executive assistant for 22 years.

When asked if he misses anything about his days working at Red River, Melde says he has found many other activities to keep him occupied.

"I've found other work and many things to be involved in over the years," he said. "I have adjusted myself to do things I enjoy doing."

Melde is involved with a group of former employees who meet once a month for breakfast to catch up and reminisce about depot times.

Melde's ties to Red River run deep. He even met his wife, Jo, at the Officer's Club. The two were engaged in three weeks and married three months later. They have been married for 61 years.

The 98-year-old is also active on Facebook, keeping up with his family and friends as well as politics. His family purchased him a computer for his 85th birthday. Just three short years ago he gave up playing golf twice a week due to some knee pain.

"He had two aunts that lived to be 102 and 99 who you could visit and carry on full conversations," Melde's daughter, Vicki said. "We are very blessed because if you're going to be 98, you should definitely be as sharp as he is."

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