Al Mason enlisted in the Army in May, 1949, at his hometown of Quincy, Ill. After basic training at Camp Chaffee, Ark,
he attended Chaffee's clerk-typist school before  coming overseas. He began his tour with BDN as a clerk but becäme well-versed in all the operations of the Blue Danube Network since his arrival in Austria in November, 1949.

In his over 3 years with the network, he saw service  at the Vienna, Salzburg and Linz studios, where he he was an announcer, newswriter, engineer and control board operator. He conducted two of  his  own programs,  the local Breakfast Club from 7:30 to 8 am, Monday through Friday, and the networkwide Swing Time, heard  each Saturday at 2:30 pm.

In Fall 1953 he returned to the USA.

(Source: The USFA Sentinel, 19 June  1953)