Ferris Barracks Erlangen Germany
In this photo from Google Earth [2020] the 2nd of the 81st Armor buildings were the long ones in the center. The building with the silver roof was the old EM Club. The building to the left of it was the old roller rink.
Gate 3 at the top left with the post chapel to the left of it and the old Education Building to the right. The old NCO Club is in the center at the top of the photo.
ARMY BARRACKS 
The center building between A,B,C Co and HHC CSC was American express bank. S-4 EM was last building to left. I worked furniture warehouse. from CO C 1977-1982 first sgt smitty ex GB. ruff tuff
HI all
Yes yes yes I was stationed there from May 1985 May 1988 I was apart of 2nd 81st Armor RED LIONS I was in Alpha Company
I was a medic in 2nd/ 81st ’72/’73 Jim Nicastro
jim.nicastro1@outlook.com
Hello once again to my Army brothers who were stationed at Ferris Barracks, Co, C, 3/37 Armor and Co C, 2/81 Armor between 1971-74. It is with great sadness that I inform you of two of our armor brothers who have gone to be with the Lord. They were two great tanker friends of mine… and maybe yours too… and they both succumbed to leukemia. Today, they stand in the ranks of the Lord’s Christian soldiers and now watch over our fallen brothers and sisters in arms.
If you knew Billy George (Flash) Toney (Oct 1954 – Feb 25, 2025, Texas) or Jackie Darryl (JD) Mitchell (July 2, 1952 -July 7, 2025, Mississippi) of Co. C, 2 Bn, 81st Armor, then you are as blessed as I am to have known these men as true friends. Since 1974, we have kept in personal contact with one another, and it is a great personal loss that there will be no more phones calls, emails, or text messages from either man. With myself, and John Henry Broadley of California, we were a true family of veterans who laughed and remembered our time together in Erlangen. We kept in touch often and visited one another when possible.
I write this note to remind us how important military friendships are to all who served our nation. We are a family of veterans, and it is with humbleness that I ask you to offer a prayer to God in honor of these men, their wives Valarie(Billy), Jassena (J.D.), and their families. These ladies will need much emotional, physical, and spiritual support as they continue with their personal lives.
Finally, this old tanker’s call goes out to all those men whom I served with at Ferris Barracks, Charlie Company 3/37 Armor or 2/81 Armor. We are all getting older and if you are reading this message and would like to shoot a few rounds down range, then I am alive and well in South Carolina (moved from NC). I’m hoping to hear from Donald Loll, Bob Sutterfield, Danny Debord, Roy T. (Fugi) Oshiro, Danny Morrison, Larry Kennedy, Mac McDonald, Glen Dean, Jerry Guthrie, Tony, Yarbrough, Lt. Perry, SSG Paul Greene, OR anyone else whose name this old taker has forgotten these past fifty-one years.
Contact me at dzachary477@gmail.com and I will respond.
Rev. David Zachary, MTS
Inman, SC
Former SGT 2Bn 81st Armor and 1SG USAR, Co. A, 1 Bn 518th Regt, 108th Tng. Division, Charlotte, NC.
Zach, sorry to hear of your loss and behalf of my deceased father (Eddie Johnson) we send up prayers.
I was in Charlie co 73 74, turret mech, 45k20, people called me slick, wonder why, had membership to club sesame discotech in erlangen met my wife, Lotta good times at shlossgarten.
Gary, you sound like you may have served with my dad also. SFC Eddie Johnson.
I was there 2 1/2 years, from Jan ’78 to June ’80. I was in the room with future pianist Arthur Strout.
Red! Lion! Go HHC 2/81!
Michael Ashton
I also was there and knew Arthur. sorry don’t recall you, just yet. I was on the AVLB crew and I drove for top. Look forward to any response. I was in CSC (upstairs) HHC.
I was stationed there from 1988-1991 with 2/81 armor which was re-designated to 4/70. One of the best times of my life (even though we ended up in the desert) I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Some of the best people I ever met! Loved the fleetermouse in Forcheim, the green goose in Nuremberg and the local bars cheers and the old black bear that was fought over by the tankers and the grunts from 2/1 infantry. Those were the days.
Hey Mark, You have been a hard man to find. Truly enjoyed two for one night at the Fleetermouse. BUT did not enjoy the Charley Company run the next morning. Do remember “You fly I buy” to the Pizza Bar or the Burger King truck. I will never forget the night You, Gardner and Marsh welcomed the FNG to the room and never laughed so hard getting my HMMV license.
Miss You Brother.. G Meadows
Hello to all of my former tankers at Ferris Barracks, 3/37 and 2/81 Battalions of Erlangen. I was stationed there from Jan 72-Aug 74 with C 3/37, later to become C 2/81 and remember the good and tough times we all had at Tennenloher, Hohenfels, and Grafenwoher.
My barracks room was in the top photo, left end, near the old Class 6 / barber shop bldg., and on the 3rd floor. I could look out my window and see gate 3 and the chapel. I spent many a night at the EM and NCO Clubs with a lot of other lonely GI’s. Let’s not forget Peppi’s, the Pizza Bar, Golden Hecht, Black Widow, Strawberry Fest, and other outlined pubs of pleasure and promiscuous activities. It was a time for young soldiers to experience life and grow into maturity- sometimes in the wrong way.
I’m blessed to have those memories and proud to say that my time at Ferris Barracks with the 2nd Platoon helped me grow up quickly. Today in 2024, I still remember the Volksmarsch, bratwurst, and the coveted “short-timer” wheels.
May the good Lord give you fond memories of a time gone by.
Rev. David Zachary, former Sgt, USA & 1SG USAR
Waynesville, NC
My late father was a 1SG with 2/81 Armor from 73-76, Edward (Eddie) Johnson. He often spoke of his friend Zach. Is that you?
Most likely. If your father was platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon, Charlie 2/82 from June 72 until my ETS in August 74, then yes!
He drove a white 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix and others he may have discussed were his tank drive Yarbrough on tank C25. I was commander of C23.
I learned a lot about leadership from SFC Johnson, because he put much on my shoulders. He loved Scotch, playing poker, and was a platoon sergeant we all looked up to. If memory serves me correct, he came to Germany in June 72, after a short leave in Kansas, when he left Vietnam. SFC Johnson was remarried and his family lived with him in post housing just outside gate #1 (if memory serves me correct).
Sorry to hear of his death and my condolences go out to the whole Johnson family.
1SG Zach
Yes, that is my father. He passed in September 2022 in Virginia. He met my mother at Ft Riley and they had my little sister. He adopted me and my older sister before we came to Germany. He was a great father and I was with him when he passed. I followed in his footsteps. I was a tanker and retired as an 06. My number is 713.446.4416 if you want to talk. I’d love to speak to you.
TYPO, 2/81 Armor.
i was stationed there as a medic 1982-1984
I was there from 82 to 84 also. I was with 2/81 and i sure remember heading over to the NCO right across the field. Bought a nice Mercedes from one of the other sargeants while there. Remember all those long Battalion run down the area streets to. SGT Dove
Stationed there 81-84 HHC 2/81
Center Building to right was HQ Company and I was a Medic sharing a room with Terry Burnett, Kevin Walker, John Bortz and a few others on the second floor. This would have been from 1975-1977.
I was a dependent there from 1973-1976. My sister worked at the skating rink. She sold tickets to enter the rink.
Hello spent Dec 83 till may 87 there
That is Gate 1.