The Georgia guardsman [Vol. 12, no. 2 (Mar., Apr. 1962)]

Vke
(ieorgia (iuarJJman
The National Guard De/ends America

HONORABLE ERNEST VANDIVER
GOVERNOR OF GEORGI A

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S MESSAGE

MAJ GEN GEORGEJ. HEARN
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

Fellow Guardsmen: I have just returned from the annual meeting of the Adjutants Gen-
eral Association ofthe U.S. in New York where the vital issues facing the Guard today were discussed with considerable enthusiasm.
I thought that you would like to know that our association has commended the President of the United States for "determined,courageous and positive actions undertaken during the past year to strengthen the Nation's defense." We fully support his statement that our Country should have a choice other than holocaust or surrender.
In our statement of policy at the conclusion of the conference, we recommended and urged these specific actions be taken:
l. Raise the strength level of the ARNG to 412,000 to provide the required strength for high priority units.
2. Permit the rotation of required high priority units based on capabilities.
3. The existing 27 divisions and other non-divisional units of the ARNG be retained and the necessary realignment of non-divisional units be accomplished by conversion of those existing units to types necessary to meet the Army's mobilization requirements.
4. Additional mobilization training for the headquarters and staffs of high priority organizations be provided by restoring such staff training time as has been deleted in recent years.
5. Any reorganization or realignment be accomplished as a parallel action with the reorganization of the Active Army and reserve components in accordance with the ROAD concept.

-----------------------------------'HE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN
THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN
Vol. 12 March, April 1962 No. 2
A pub lication of th ~ . o~parcm e nt of 0 fen e, ~lilit a ry Ot~tsiOn, Sta te of Georgia. Pub li shed tn the Int e rest of th e Georg ia National Guard and di tri but ed free to members of the
ational Guard of Georgia. The Guard man receives AFPS materi al.

HONORABLE ERNEST VANDIVER GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA
MAJ GEN GEORGEJ. HEARN THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
LT. COL. DOUGLAS EMBRY Editor
Publication and Editorial Office 959 E. Confederate Ave. , S. E.,
Atlanta 16, Georgia

OUR COVER ...
Another dynamic cover design by Copt. Robert H. Sprayberry adorns our front this Issue. It Is one of a series in modern motif, accentuating the Georgia Guard's continuing modernization of Its army and air components, The usually fine printing is the product of Mr. Ben Ellington, Sgt. Don Greer mode
the color separations.
GA. NG RINGS NOW AVAILABLE
Attractive rings, bearing the Seal of the State of Georgia and the Minuteman replica, are now available for all Guardsmen. Made of 10-carat gold, the ring may be studded with a firey red ruby, a golden sapphire or fire blue spinel and emblazoned with the words "Georgia National Guard." This token of your service may be obtained from J. Nathan Morgan, Jr., Box 612, Milledgeville, Ga. Regardless of the choice of stone, the open back rings cost S31. 69, closed back $34.51.
MARCH, APRIL 1962

Federal Inspection of Hq & Hq Detachment In Atlanta March 22 by Lt. Col . Hal B. Phillips is marked by the soldierly stance of these Guardsmen as they brace themselves for their annual interrogation by the inspecting officer. In the group are, 1-r, Col . Donald E. Mees, Lt. Col , Paul E, Castleberry,
Molar Charles C. Ricketts, F / Sgt James M, Dempsey, Lt. Co , Phillips, M/ Sgt George H, Moore, Jr,( and SpS's Thomas
L. Cowart, Harold L. Jackson and Ra ph E, Shadix,

Deadline Nears
For WW II Loans
Many World War II veterans of Georgia who have not yet used their Gl home loan rights are reminded that July 25, 1962, will be the first termination date of eligibility and might apply to them.
Veterans discharged in or before June 1944 would do well to check into the termination date of the.ir eligibility for a guaranteed or insured loan for a home, farm or business or a direct home loan.
Until a new law was passed last year establishing a phase-out eligibility formula, July 25, 1962, was the cut-off date for eligibility of all World War II veterans. The new law granted these veterans an eligibility extension of 10 years from the date of his discharge from his last period of wartime service, plus an additional year of eligibility for each three months of active wartime service.
Under no circumstances may a World War II veteran be eligible for his GI loan r.ights after July 25 , 1967. The new law provides that eligibility for a Korea veteran will not terminate, in any case, prior to January 31, 1965. Eligibility of a Korea veteran may not extend beyond January 31, 1975.

Guardsmen Collect Easter Seal Money
Five Georgia Guardsmen volunteered their services for the Easter Seal Door-to-Door Parade held Monday evening, March 19th throughout Greater Atlanta.
Sgt s. L. C. Gilbert, James L. Branch, William H. Cheek, LeRoy Allen and James R. Bowers, accompanied by Atlanta City policemen drove to designated homes around Greater Atlanta, picked up substantial amounts of money collected by the Easter Seal Paraders and safely delivered the contributions to the Bank of Georgia's vault.
On duty from 9:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. the following morning, the Guardsmen pitched in and did their share to help crippled children and adults by taking the responsibility for bringing in many thousands of doll.ars to the Bank that evening.
According to a spokesman for the
Easter Seal Society, reports indicate that the March 19th Easter Seal Parade was a big success.
The Guardsmen were among a strong volunteer force of over 10,000 Easter Seal volunteers.
Diner: "What's this fly doing in my soup ?"
Waiter: "The backstroke."

THE GEORGIA G U A R D S M A N - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - -- - - - - -- -
Lt. Governor Byrd vists

At Ft. Meade, Md
Be t ween and during April sho we rs, L t. Gove rnor Garl and T. Byrd and oth er tate offici als visited the Georgi a National Guard's mobilized lllth ignal Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland, to a ssure the Gua rd smen of the interest of the people of Georgia in their present servic e .
The April 13th tour was conduc ted by L t. Col. Erskine B. Wic kersham, ba ttalion comma nder fro m Wa hin gton , Ga .
In the gro up with L t. Governor Byrd we re Sta te Senators E. W. Ma the ws of Cordele and J. L. White of Douglasville ; Brig. General Home r F l ynn , Ass is ta nt Ad juta nt General o f Ga. for Air; Mr. W. P . Smith of a dle y, Cha i rman of the J e fferson County Commi ssion; and Cap t. Ro bert H. Sprayberry, aide and pilot for th e Lt. Gov ernor.
T alking to small g roups of the Gua rdsmen in their dayrooms , mess hall s a nd s ignal shops, Governor Byrd expre ssed the pride of all Georgians in their patriotic service an d told the m th a t State law s protecting thei r job rights would be carefully observed upon their return to Georgia.
Wat ching the highl y trained technicians operate their complicated equipment, L t. Governor Byrd walked from building to building in the lllth Signal Bat talion are a to obs erv e the different pha ses of communic a tions work in which the Georgians were engaged.
The organizations visited were Hq & Hq Co from Wash ing ton, Co B of Waynesboro, a nd Co C, fo rm erl y o f Louisville. Company A, with split platoons from Augusta and Sandersville, was on duty at Fort L ee, Va. , some 40 miles fro m Ft. Meade .
2

Lt. Col , Erskine B. Wickersham, right, welcomes Lt. Gov. Byrd to Fort Meade,
Guardsmen of Hq & Hq Co, lllth Signal Bn, gather around a drawing board at Fort Meade. The Guardsmen are, left to right, Lt. Jack W, Bentley of Lincolnton , MI ST William J , Mauldin of Washington, PFC Bruce Didier of New Orleans, La, , M/ Sgt James S, Denard of Washington , PFC Arthur Daugherty of Atlanta and SFC Varnard A, Henderson, Jr. of Washington,

Testing some of the signal equipment at Fort Meade, Guards-

men of Headquarters Company, lllth Signal Battalion, are,

left to right, CWO Joseph F, Carey of Lexinaton, SP4 Jerry

A,

Brown

of

Greenville,

SW, Cas,1h

and ington

SPS ,

Thomas

Wheatley

of

Lt, Gov. Byrd, exa mine s a phot o s howing his arrival at Ft. Meade, Sgt / l C J , A, Ha l l, ce nter, of Tho ms on, and Lt. Billy E. Carpenter of Corne li a were res pon s ible for the quick
pro cessing ,
MARCH , APRIL 1962

-------------------------------------------------------------------THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN

Superior Units

Air Delense Units Changed

AUGUSTA, STATESBORO, ELBERTON

BATTALIONS REORGANIZE 1 MAY 62

Three Georgia Army National Guard air defense battalions will be reorganized May 1 to bring them more in line with the Army's present troop structure.
Major General George J. Hearn revealed that the organizations would now become engineer, howitzer and tank battalions.
Guard units in 10 Georgia communities will be affected as follows:
Augusta's Headquarters and Headquarters Battery and Battery B, 1st Gun Battalion, (90mm), with additional batteries located in Augusta, Thomson and Sparta, will be redesignated Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Medium Tank Battalion (Patton), 108th Armor. Tank companies will replace the present batteries, and Swainsboro's Btry C, 2nd Gun Bn, will come into the new tank battalion as Company B, replacing Btry B, 1st Gun Battalion, which was absorbed into Headquarters of the 5th Tank Battalion.
Statesboro's Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Gun Battalion (90mm ), 214th Artillery, will be redesignated Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 265th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Army). Batteries located in Statesboro, Reidsville and Lyons will become Companies A, B and C, respectively, of the engineer battalion.
Elberton's Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 4th Gun Battalion (Skysweeper), 214th Artillery, will become Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Howitzer

Battalion (Self Propelled), 214th Artillery. Subordinate batteries located in Elberton, Hartwell and Toccoa will retain their battery designations, A, B and C respectively, under the howitzer battalion. A new unit, Service Battery of the 1st Howitzer Battalion, will be activated in Elberton upon reorganization.
General Hearn said these changes in the structure of the Georgia Army National Guard were not part of a proposed plan to realign Army Guard and Army Reserve organizations throughout the United States.
Two Guard detachments from Atlanta, the 379th and 380th Ordnance Detachments, are to be inactivated under the May 1 reorganization. The seven-man units were support for the air defense battalions. Their personnel will be absorbed into other Guard organizations.
Battalion commanders will be retained in the changeover. Lt. Col. William L. Britton, Jr. will command Augusta's 5th Medium Tank Battalion. Lt. Col. Edwin F. Herrington of Waynesboro will command Statesboro's 265th Engineer Battalion and Lt. Col. J. E. Slaton of Augusta will command Elberton's 1st Howitzer Battalion.
Net re suit of the reorganization, General Hearn said, will be a slight increase in the number of authorized officers and men in the new battalions. Administratively, the new Guard organizations will be attached to Winder's 108th Artillery Brigade (Air Defense).

Ten additional Ga. ARNG organizations have won Superior ratings on recent IG inspections. They are as follows: Co B, 2d ARB, 121st Inf- Albany Hq & Hq Co, 2d Med Tk Bn, 108th
Armor - Calhoun Co A, 2d Med Tk Bn, 108th Armor-
Rome Btry B, 1st How Bn, 118th Arty -
Savannah Btry C, 1st How Bn, 118th Arty -
Springfield Hq & Hq Btry, 108th Arty Bde (AD) -
Winder Btry A, 2d Gun Bn, 214th Arty -
Statesboro Btry C, 2d Gun Bn, 214th Arty-
Swainsboro Hq & Hq Det, GaARNG - Atlanta 124th Pub Info Det - Atlanta
CC 8 Team Repeats
Macon's expert small-bore rifle team, which has captured the Chief, National Guard Bureau Trophy three cimes for Hq & Hq Co, Combat Command B, has brought the attractive plaque back to the Volunteers Armory for the fourth record-breaking cime. No other team has won it more than twice.
The Indoor Team Trophy is in the shape of a large shield. Col. Roy W. Hogan, proud commander of CC B, presented the Chief, NGB Trophy to SFC Frank Watts, the team's captain, in February ceremonies.
SFC Watts is largely responsible for the award, not only because he is team captain, but because he scored the highest in individual scoring to win the national championship with a magnificent 392.The talented Guardsman has been given the State's highest award, the Di stinctive Service Medal, and other honors for his brilliant marksmanship records.
Members of his team were champions in their own right. S/Sgt Robert E. Bridgeman scored a 388 which would have been good enough to win or tie in every other state except Georgia, Maryland, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.
None of the other team members were pikers, either, when it comes to shooting. P fc Jack B. Burns fired a 381, Sp5 Marvin L. McLeod hit 371 and Pfc Donnie T. Bowman brought in a 368.

MARCH, APRIL 1962

3

THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN-----------------------------------

Gen er al Merritt c ongra t ul a tes Col . Willingham and Col , Ingle during change of command ceremonies,

Col W. D. Willingham Leaves CCC Col. Buford Ingle Takes Command

In a sentimental farewell, Colonel Wesley D. Willingham relinquished his command of Forsyth's Combat Command C of the Georgia National Guard March 5. Colonel Buford A. Ingle, veteran Guardsmen of Resaca, Ga., assumed command at the ceremonies which were attended by CC C staff officers from Dublin and Calhoun. Special guest was Brig. General Benjamin F . Merritt, Assistant Commanding General, 48th Armored Division, from Macon.
As a final tribute from his men, Col. Willingham was given an attractive desk set, engraved with a message calling attention to the occasion. A gift of a box of golf balls was given to Col. Willingham by the staff of the Hq & Hq Co. 1st Armd Rifle Battalion with headquarters in Dublin.
Colonel Willingham transferred to Hq & Hq Detachment of the Guard in Atlanta where he is assigned as administrative and supply officer.
Colonel Willingham first joined the Georgia National Guard 31 years ago when he enlisted in the 30th Tank Co in 1924. Remaining in the unit until 1929, he attended the University of Georgia where he graduated in 1932 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant of Calvary, ORC.
In 1933, CoL Willing ham , a na tive of Forsyth, rejoined the 30th Tank Co there and served with this unit until 1'940 when he was promoted to Captain commandin g Co A,

19 3rd Tank Battalion. On 6 January 1941 he was inducted into federal service and part icipated in the Louisiana, Tennessee and Carolina maneuvers until his departure for overseas 27 December 194 L He served in Hawaii for three years and in the Philippines approximately 11 months.
In Feb 1943, he was promoted to Major and in ov of the same year he became a Lt. Colonel. His active duty included service as Bn CO with the 763rd and 766th Tank Bn's in Hawaii for approximately one year and as Ex Off with the 4th T a nk Gp there for 18 months. Colonel Willingham also was acting Group Commander of the 4th Tk Gp for approximately six months.
Colonel Willingham graduated from the Tank School at Ft. Benning in 1937, Chemical Warfare School at Ft. Shafter, TH, in 1943 and the Command and General Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth in 1944.
Separated from active service in January 1946, he was promoted to full Colonel at that time and served
in the ORC until 7 July 1947. Then he joined the Georgia ational Guard's 19 0th Tank Battalion, serving as the Battalion commander in the grade of Lt. Colonel until 17 October of 195 5. After eight years of Service with the 190th as Lt. Col. , he again assumed the rank of Colonel as comm ander of the 160th Armored Group with headquarters in
For syth. His command of CCC began 1 Jul y 59

LT. CO L JOHN J . BROC K
Lt. Col. John Brock Commands 248th
A National Guardsman since October, 1933, Lt. Col. John J. Brock assumed command of the 248th Signal Battalion 6 Feb 62 upon the transfer of the former commander, Col. James E. Deadwyler.
For 11 years, Col. Brock was Asst. Division Signal Officer. This assignment, which ended in 1959, was followed by a two and a half year assignment as Administrative Suppl y Officer, 102nd Signal Depot.
Inducted into federal services a s a Guardsman 24 Feb 41, he was on active duty for five years, serving overseas in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Upon his release, he was a member of the USAR until the re-activation of the 122nd Infantry Regiment 8 Ma y 47, when he became regimental communications officer. When the 48th Signal Company was activated 30 Mar 48, he became assistant signal officer, 48th Infantry Division.
Col. Brock is a graduate of Oglethorpe University, the Signal Corps OCS, and the Command and General Staff SchooL

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MARCH, APRIL 1962

----------------------------------------~-------------------------THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN

DUGGAN HEADS 4-108

L~

Col. Ivy S. Infantry offi

Duggan, cer, has

veteran assumed

12ls d of the 4th Medium Tank cBoamrtmalat.non 1n Amen cus. L t. Co1. Thomas R. Nesbit, Jr., former com-

mander, resigned from the Guard for a position in the Army Reserves.

Col. Duggan is a graduate. of the

~.EnW~uinn11eeeroinfOc1lCu9dS4e4d.atHdFiustt.yseBriven~1vctoehued,uCn~naB.gI
Theater, where he. was a. pl~t~on

leader charged w1th mamtammg

the Ledo Road. After WW II, he organized and
commanded Co M, 121st Inf Regt, from its activation 11 Nov 47 to 1 Sep 55. He was executive officer of the 190th Tank Bn and later of the 4th Med Tk Bn in Americus from 1955 to 26 Jan 62 when he became battalion commander.

BLANTON LEADS 110TH
The new commander of Brunswick's Hq & Hq Co, llOth Signal Bn (Combat Area), is Major Ed D. Blanton, a Guardsmen since Oct 4,
1937. Taking over the helm of the com-
plex communications ba~talio":,. Major Blanton has served 10 pos1t1ons of command for many years in Brunswick companies ofthe 121st Infantry Regiment. Most recently he served as S-3 of the llOth under Lt. Col. Edwin G. Lambright who retired in
January. Major Blanton's career includes
World War II service in the Coast Artillery Corps.

WILLIAMSON RETIRES
Capt. Paul E. Williamson of Ludowici retired from the Guard 20 March 62 after more than 20 years service. The former commander of Hinesville's 406th Ordnance Co, his most recent command, first joined the Guard's Trp B, 108th Cavalry, 7 Oct. 35. In 1941 he was inducted into federal service with the 101st Coast Artillery Bn, serving in the South Pacific with the famous Georgia organization. Upon release from active service, he joined Hinesville's Btty, B, 101st AAA Gun Bn, a unit he commanded for many years. When the 101st was reorganized in 1959, he became commander of the new ordnance company. Upon his retirement, Capt. Williamson was promoted to Major.
MARCH, APRIL 1962

LT. COL WILLIAM L BRITTON, JR.
Britton Commands
Augusta Battalion
Lt. Col. William L. Britton, Jr. has assumed command of Augusta's own, the First Gun Battalion of the 214th Artillery, Georgia Army National Guard.
He succeeds Lt. Col. Albert J. Twiggs, who has been transferred to the 108th Brigade, headquarters Winder, Ga.., and is currently attending the Army Command and Staff school at Leavenworth, Kan.
A veteran member of the local unit, Britton began his National Guard career when it was first organized in 1939 entering as a private when he was senior at Richmond Academy.
He went on active duty with the unit in 1940 and served during World War II in the Far East Command.
After the war the unit was reactivated, Britton along with Twiggs and Lt. Col. J. E. Slaton assisted in reorganizing it in 1947 when it became known as the 250th Anti Aircraft Gun Bn.
The Augusta Battalion will be reorganized May 1st and redesignated Hq & Hq Co, 5th Medium Tank Battalion (Patton), 108th Armor. Colonel Britton will be commander of the newly formed battalion.
CALLAWAY RETIRES
Major William H. Callaway, veteran infantryman, retired from the Georgia Guard 15 Apr 62 after more than 20 years service. Upon retirement, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. First joining the Guard 3 Dec 34, he became a member of Co B, 122nd Inf. After WW II,

COLONEL JAMES E. DEADWYLER
Deadwyler Gets
102d Sig Depot
Col. James E. Deadwyler, former commander of the 248th Signal Battalion in Atlanta, is commander of the 102nd Signal Depot.
Col. Deadwyler joined the Machine Gun Tp, 108th Cavalry, 5 July 1932, rejoined the unit in 1936 after a short break in servi.ce and transferred to the Florida National Guard in 1938. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 124th Infantry, 23 November 1940.
Later, Col. Deadwyler served with th'e 13th Air Force Service Command in the South Pacific Area. From 1945 to 1948 he served with the 14th Air Force as a major.
Upon separation from service, Col. Deadwyler became Signal Officer of the 48th Infantry Division. He served in this capacity until 1 July 1959 when he became commander of the 248th Signal Battalion.
Col. Deadwyler holds the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with four battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation with one star.
He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the U. S. Army Signal School, the C & GS Refresher Combat Division Course, and the Armor School at Fort Knox, Ky.
in which he served as an infantry officer, Lt. Col. Callaway rejoined the 122nd, serving with the Atlanta organization's headquarters until 1 Nov 55 when the unit was reorganized into Combat Command C. From 1 July 59 to his re~irement, he was a member of Hq Co, 102nd Signal Depot in Atlanta.
s

THE GEORGIA G U A R D S M A N - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Savannah Squadron Flew Many Types 01 Fighter Aircraft

Taxiing In to Its new "home" at Travis, the first C-97 (nicknamed by some the "Savior") pulls up to the blocks . Insert: Ma(or Herd, right, presents Col. Coleman with the "key" to the Stratofrelghter, symbolizing the historic "switch" of the
Savannah squadron to multl-engined aircraft.

165th Gets First Stratofreighter

The first of the 158th Air Transport Squadron's C-97 Stratofreighters arrived at Travis Field March 8, bringing to a close the traditional fighter squadron missions performed by the Savannah Air National Guardsmen.
The shift to transports became effective 1 Apr.il 62 when the 165th Fighter Group (Air Defense) was redesignated the 165th Air Transport Group (Heavy).
The historic changeover is significant in that the Savannah squadron was one of the first Guard organizations in the U. S. to be issued jet aircraft after the end of World War II. In 1949 the 158th Fighter Squadron was issued F -80 Shooting Star jets, transitioning from F-47's, with which the squadron was equipped upon its activation in October, 1946. Thereafter, the squadron successively flew F-51H's (after the Korean War), F-84D's, F-84F's and most recently F-86L's.
Herding the four-engined Boeing Stratofreighter onto the runway at Travis Field was Major Glenn H. Herd, commander of the Guard's 128th Air Transport Squadton at Dobbins AFB. The C-97, like the others in the Georgia Air Guard inventory, had been acquired from the Strategic Air Command. It was picked up by the Air Guard crew at Randolph AFB, Texas. M/ Sgt John Bergman, chief aircraft inspector for the 165th, made the historic "first trip."

Meeting the aircraft were Col. William H. Kelly, Base Detachment Commander, Lt. Col. Sheftall B. Coleman, commander of the 158th squadron, Mr. Orrie E . Bright, Chairman of the Savannah Airport Commission, and Mr. Frank LeHardy, Airport Manager.
An intensive program of ground school training has begun for crew members and mechanics. A Mobile Training Detachment has arrived at Travis to speed the transition of the air defense specialists to that
of transport specialists, capable of performing airlift of cargo, passengers or litter patients wherever directed by the parent organization, the Military Air Transport Service.
Colonel Ralph G. Kuhn, veteran leader of Air National Guard components in Savannah, commands the 165th Air Transport Group.
Coincidental with the arrival of the first C-97, Governor Vandiver announced that the east-west runway at Travis Field will be increased from 8,000 feet to 9,000 feet. To cost $575,000, the improvements at Travis will expand the use of the Air National Guard Training Site.
Major General George J. Hearn, Adjutant General of Georgia, told the Savannah Evening Press the improvements will assure Savannah of a $1-million-a-year payroll from military so urces. Funds for the extension are coming from the National Guard Bureau. General Hearn said Guard units from all o ver the country will be using the field fo r training purposes throughout the year.

6

Air National Guard officers and airmen of Savannah's 165th Air Transport Group (Heavy) have become acquainted with a vast number of aircraft since the original 158 th Fighter Squadron was organized at Travis Field (then Chatham Field) in October 1946.
Shortly after being federally r~c ognized, the squadron's first aircraft began arriving. By March 1947 the unit was equipped with 27 P-47' s 2 L-5's, 4 B-26's and 4 T-6' s, Since that time, Savannah Air Guardsmen have become acquainted with progressively modern aircraft.
The 158th was one of the fir st Air National Guard squadrons in the
Unit.ed States to be equipped with fets - the F-80C "Shooting Star". After being ordered to active dut y in October 1950, the unit was assigned to George Air Force Base, California, where it phased out its F-80' s and transitioned into F-84' s. In July 1951 the unit was transferre d to Misawa Air Base, Japan, and carried the F-84' s along aboard V. S. Navy aircraft carriers.
In July 1952 the guardsmen re organized at Travis Field - upon being released from active duty and were equipped with prop-driven F-51H "Mustangs". Then in August 19 53, the l58th was once again furnished fets F-84D' s. With the arrival of the highly-regarded and effective F-84F "Thunderstreaks", which began arriving in March 195 7, the l58th became super sonic. The last fet-type aircraft assigned to the Guardsmen at Travis was the F-86L Sabrefet which the unit began receiving in January 1959.
The most recent change in. aircraft was on Thursflay, 8 March 1962, when the 165th received its first C- 97 and for the first time in its history, became alligned with the Military Air Transport Service.
Effective 1 April 1962, the Savvannah organization became one capable of transporting person'!el and equipment to all parts of the world. A fter 15 years in the fighter business, the change in missions was a strange but historic step.
MAR CH, APRIL 1962

-------------------------------------------------------------------THEGEORGIA GUARDSMAN

/
From F-47's to C-97's, this series of photos depicts the vari et y of aircraft flown by the Savannah Air National Guard organizations, With the lat est "bird" assi 0 ned shown in the center, the aircraft are, clockwise from top left, F -47N, F -51 H, B-26,
F-840, C-47, F-86L, F -84F and F-SOC.

~elcoming MaJor Herd, left, and the first C-97 are Col , Kelly, H, Anderson, Boeing technical representative, Mr, Otrie,
Mr, LeHardy and Lt. Col , Coleman, The Savannah squadron accepted delivery of the four-engined aircraft on March 8,
MARCH, APRIL 1962

First pilot crew members from Savannah to be checked out ln the g lobal transport are shown in t he contro l cabi n of t he C-97. Capta in Ben L, Patterson, right, a nd Copt, Kenn eth R.
Davis handle the contro ls in the spacious cabi n,
7

THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN---------------------------------------------------------------------

Officers Urged To Journey to Jekyll Island

A little stotegy confab by officers of Atlanta's Gate City Guard tokes place in the Biltmore Hotel in March, Lt, Col , Kirby Timms, 1st Lt, Minto Gilstrap, Copt, Jimmy Cornett, Major Bob Kelly and CWO Ed Woodie, shown left to right, hove been active in soliciting new members for the historic organization, Memberships ore open to all officers, army or air NG , in the Atlanta area , Those wishing to join should
contact one of the above for details.

.. . .
Professor: "Students, because I am dismiss ing you 10 minutes early, please go quietly so as not to wake the other classes."

*
Men may be smarter than women, but you never hear of a
woman marr y ing a dumb man just because of hi s shape.

Lt. Col. Tom Luck, Jr. wants to get the early word to all members of the ational Guard Association of Georgia concerning the annual co nvention.
The word is that special low rates will prevail at all Jekyll Island Motels and Hotels the we ekend of Sep 8-9. "Some members are go ing down right after Labor Day to take advantage of the low rates , " says the colonel.
He urges officers to make a vacation out of it, take the kids and patronize the baby-sitter service s offered.
The convention will be held in the Aquarama Building, a new fa cility designed to accomodate large gatherings. It will be the first time the Georgia Association has held its annual conference in a beach-side structure.

N.S.L. Ins. News Brigade Wins 8th Straight Superior

World War II veterans of Georgia who have not converted their term insurance to permanent plan policies may use an easy-stage method of making the change.
Both the law and VA regulations permit these term policyholders to convert as little as $1,000 to a plan with fixed premium amounts, in order to avoid the periodic increases in the cost of term insurance.
By converting $1,000 a year for the next ten years, the full amount of a $10,000 policy will be in permanent plan insurance within a decade.
Annual dividends may be used in the process to reduce the cash outlay. Permanent plan policies available to World War II term policyholders are ordinary life, 20-payment life, 20-year endowment, endowment at age 60 and endowment at age 65.
Permanent plans have certain values which term policies do not have, including loan value, cash surrender value, and an extended insurance value.
8

Stoff Officers of Winder's 108th Air Defense Brigade ore shown In their armory shortly after receiving word that Headquarters and Headquarters Battery hod won its eighth consecutive Superior Rating on the federal inspection conducted 21 March, Seated, left to riqht, ore Moj , Dennis A, Colomos, Moj , Shields Kenan , Moj , Thomas Gwln , Moj , Paul Stone, Lt, Col . Harry Carpenter, Lt. Col. Paul lnnecken, Brig, General Jock G, Johnso11 {Brigade Commander), Col . Sanders Camp, Maj . El bert Rucker, Maj . James E, Stowe and Moj , Julian Brown, Standing, 1-r, ore Capt. Walt Harber, WO Barry D, Nicoro , Capt, Charle s Mason, Capt. Mell Cleat on , Moj , Joseph E, Brown , CWO Wi lliam S, Stephe ns , 1/ Lt. Billie Guthrie, 1/ Lt, George J , Hearn Ill, Capt. William T, Esco, CW O Neal Wh it ley , Moj , Basil T, Brinkley, Copt, Harold Etheridge, Copt. Willi a m G. Le wis , Copt, Herbert L . Ridaewoy Jr., Ma j. Horace L. Chee k Jr., 2/ Lt. Edwin Cub bedge, Maj . Willi am J . Hogan, CWO Bobb y
L. Wh itmire, and Ma j. Albert S, Wilson.
MARCH, APRIL 196 2

-------------------------------------------------------------------THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN

Recreation Site Building Surges

MACON, GEORGIA

GRACE FACE FAMOUS
The popularity of one Georgia Guardsman assisted the Post Office Department in getting the mail de-
livered. When the AST of Griffin's Trp C,
1st Recon Sqdn, 108th Armor, Sgt James T. Baxter, Jr. wrote to J?ivision Headquarters fcx some mformation, the ingenuous AST decided to see if a "gimmic" would work. In addressing the letter to Captain Leonard C. Grace, Staff Assistant for Training at Division Headquarters, MSG Baxter simply printed MACON, GEORGIA on the

face of the envelope and above that, pasted a picture of Captain Grace which originally appeared in The Georgia Guardsman magazine in the Spring of 1958.
The Post Office Department promptly placed the letter in Box 73 in Macon and it was received by Capt Grace the next morning.
As Capt Grace was bragging to members of his family about being so easily located by the Post Office which serves approximately 150,000 people, a friend pointed out that when the Post Office noticed who was active in the military service, they simply post-marked it "PRAY FOR PEACE."

Maj Gen Mayer Dies in Savannah

Major General RICHARD H. MAYER, 65, former Commanding General of the 48th Division Artillery, died in Savannah, on 3 March 1962, of a heart ailment. He joined the Guard in 1916, serving on the Mexican Border and in World War I. He was commissioned in 1921. Nineteen years later he took the ll8th Field Artillery Battalion, of the 30th Infantry Division, into Federal Service as WW II approached. He commanded the 118th all through World War II, and his Battalion played an important part in stopping the German advance during the Battle of the Bulge.
General Mayer was released from Federal Service as a colonel in 1946 and organized the 48th Division Artillery from parts of the old 30th Infantry Division Artillery. Among these organizations was the 118th Field Artillery Battalion, which he had commanded for 17 years.
Forced into semi-retirement because of ill health in 1948, General Mayer never lost contact with or his love of the Guard. The colorful

MAJOR GENERAL RICHARD H. MAYER
Retired Guardsman Dies
general received many decorations. Among them was the Georgia Distinctive Service Medal, which he received 10 Dec 48 in recognition of his outstanding and patriotic service rendered the Georgia National Guard.

Building of new facilities at the National Guard recreation site on the banks of Lake Allatoona has surged forward in recent weeks as officers of the Minuteman Recreation Association campaign to get the picturesque area ready for the summer season.
Under construction and practically complete is a concrete block restroom, trailers have been emplaced providing limited sleeping accommodations and the roadway has been lengthened. A well has been dug and is operational.
To be erected are cabins, a concession stand and a caretakers house. Location of the site is on High way 92 between Acworth and Canton. Entrance to the area is marked by a sign.
To raise funds for these and other projects, such as picnic tables, the MRA is accepting donations from all those interested in improving the area. One of the donors will be rewarded with a handsome new color television set on 26 May. The TV set is on display at the Confederate Avenue Reservation in Atlanta or Dobbins AFB, Mar.ietta, during weekend assemblies of the 116th Air Transport Wing.
Another source of revenue is dues for membership, currently $5.00 a year. Membership entitles Guardsmen to bring their fan1ilies to the site at any time. Eligible are members of the Guard and employees of the State Department of Defense and the USP&FO for Ga. Cards can be obtained from any member or by writing MRA, Box 4839, Atlanta 2, Ga. All funds received are used to improve the area.
Details concerning membership and facilities can be obtained from
MRA officers, Col. Donald E. Mees, Lt. Col. Emmett L. Plunkett, Lt. Col. Ralph Brown and Lt .Col. Paul Castleberry, all of Hq & Hq Detachment.
All who have been there agree that the Guard's recreation site is one of the best on the lake. For boating, fishing, swimming, camping
and other fun, join the Minutemen Recreation Association or ask for a donation ticket on a color television sponsored by the energetic MRA.

MARCH, APRIL 1962

9

THE GEORGIA G U A R D S M A N - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -
Publications Chief Gets Vague Replies To: "How many?"

Warrant Officer Carlos Akin, Chief of Publications, State Department of Defense, has listed the vague responses he often gets when he asks those who enter his domain how many of a regulation or blank form they want. These "off the cuff" requisitionners are never reluctant to state the quantity they have come to get, but interpreting their remarks ha s become somewhat of a problem over the years for the publications chief. In listing the following answers prominently in his office, he says that he has been able to guage more closely the amount of publications desired. He proclaims, however, that these responses are a poor substitute for a specific number. The most common answers to his query are:
"Oh, about that many." "Package>- "Wad" ''Several'' "Tad" "Few" "Passel" "Bunch'' "Handful" "Whatever you can spare." "Many as I can get." "Box full." "Stack" "Right smart. " "Dab" "They didn't say.'' "Pile" "Whole lot." "Batch" "Gross" "Mess of them. " "Bundle" "Damned if I know." "Good many.'' "All you've got." "Slew"

A man about to be electrocuted phoned his lawyer fr om the death chamber . "They're ready to put me in the electric chair. You're my la w yer-what do I do now ?"
The lawyer t hought a w hile, th en said, "Don't sit down."
10

Veteran Guardsmen of Valdosta's Co A, 2nd Armored Rifle Battalion, !21st Infantry, strike up a pose shortly after receiving the Georgia National Guard Service Medal far 10 years faithful service, Two Guardsmen, PSG Frank Bracewell and PSG Robert Allison (not shown), were cited for 20 years service, In the group are, top row, 1-r, Capt. Lloyd Greer, PSG Bracewell, PSG Larry Baggett, Sgt Melvin Lastinger and Sgt. John Moses. Bottom, 1-r, are Sgt. Joe Griner, PSG Tommy Todd, Sgt. George Keen and Sgt. Fred Todd, PSG William Robertson (not shown) also received the 10-year
medal.
Fort Meade, Md. Winner of a. European trip, 1st Sgt Donald L. Hartley, Louis v ille, is shown being congratulated by 1st Sgt Audrey W, Daniels , Waynesboro, while telety pe supervisor SFC James A. Brantley, Sandersvi ll e, and Hq Co Operations NCO M/Sgt William J . Mauldin . Washington, look on . Sgt. Hartley just outdrew the other men, winning a ten day TOY trip to Europe to view our overseas army activities, These Georgia Guardsmen are part ot the ll hh Sig Bn, recen t ly called to active duty a nd stationed at F t. Geo, G. Meade, Md. (Photo by SP / 4 Geo, Hardin, lllth Sig . Bn, l
MARCH, APRIL 19 6 2

-NAME
Reiser, Frederick W. Burnette, Edward E. Green, James L. Williams, James S.
NAME Haney, Colon M.

- - - GRADE

UNITS

SehuJt ~dt4
AIR NATIONAL GUARD
COURSE

Capt.

117th Acft Contl & Warning Flt.

Weapons Controller

MSgt

116th Air Transp Wg

Routine Practical Instruction

SSgt

202d Comm Maint Sq

ABR30332

2d Lt

128th AT Sq

Undergraduate Navigator Training, Class 63-13

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

- - - GRADE UNITS

COURSE

SSGT E-6 41\h MP Co.

Automotive Repair

Ware, Gary W.

SP4

Lance, John B., Jr.

SP6

5th Det, 214th Arty 248 th Trans Det

RCAT Airframe & Engr Maint
Fixed Wg Tech lnsp

Vickery, John C. Phillips, Marvin

SPS E-5 1st Lt

Trp D, 1st Recon Sq, 108th Armor
Btry D, 2d Gn Bn, 214th Arty

USA Armor Sch Ft. Knox, Ky
Engr Off Orientation Crse

THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN

SCHOOL

DATES

Tyndall AFB, Fla. 12 Mar 62( 10 wks)

Donaldson AFB, S.C. 1 Apr 62(30 days)

Keesler AFB, Miss 25 Apr 62(45 wks)

James Connally AFB, Tex

13 Apr 6212 Feb 63

SCHOOL

-DA-TE-S

Aberdeen Pvg Gds, Md Ft. Bliss, Tex
Ft. Eustis, Va.
Armor Vehicles Maint Supv Crs USA Engr School Ft. Belvoir, Va.

16 Mar 6222 June 62
27 Apr 6225 Jun 62
23 Mar 627 May 62
1 May 6227 June 62
30 Apr 62(8 wks)

AIR NATIONAL GUARDSMEN

Promotions

ATTENDING BASIC TRAINING
Lee H. Mayers Carlton W. Davis Ralph E. Kitchens William T. Howard, Jr. Jerry M. Lewis Vance E. Watson William C. Roberts James C. White
Appointments
The following is a list of Army and Air National Guard officers appointed during the months of March and April 1962:
AIR NATIONAL GUARD

The following officers have been promoted in the Georgia National Guard since 1 March 1962.
f\.RMY NATIONAL GUARD
Sensenbrenner, James E. to Lt. Col. Wells, James E. to Major Ricketts, Charles C. to Major Brinkley, Basil T., Jr. to Maj. Brown, Joseph E. to Maj. Pierson, Franklin D. to Captain Wade, Luther W., Jr. to Captain Caviness, Marvin B. L. to Captain Oliver, Charles H. to Captain House, Mitchel P., Jr. to Captain Neal, Robert L. to Captain Dollar, Harris A. to Captain

Capt. Jerry L. Godwin, 128th Air Transport Capt. Malcolm H. Williams, 116th USAF Dispensary 1st Lt Keith D. Heefner, 128th Air Transport Sq. lst Lt Julian R. Fried, 165th Fighter Gp (AD)

Roy, John H. to Captain Pearce, Marion G., Jr. to Captain Cohan, Richard C. to Captain Landers, John R. to Captain Purcell, William L. to Captain McGrath, Robert J. to Captain Aldridge, Allan C. to Captain Mason, Jack D. to Captain Meyer, Samuel M. to Captain Reed, Edward to Captain Tinsley, John, Jr. to Captain Bartlett, John J. to Captain Prosser, Bruce R. to Captain David, Harold L. to Captain McLanahan, Fred L. to Captain Brinson, Wendell A. to Captain Ethridge, Harold 0. to Captain Hunt, William E., Jr. to Captain Mason, Charles L. to Captain Ridgeway, Herbert L., Jr. to Captain Dangerfield, Lionel S. to 1st Lt. Legge, Thomas J. to 1st Lt.

lst Lt Frank W. Scroggins, 116th Aeromedical Evacuation Sq.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

AIR NATIONAL GUARD

Capt. Pratt L. Dunagan, Hq Co 878th Engr Bn
~st Lt Leo D. Bowen, Hq 3d Mdm Tk Bn, 108th Armor, Ga ARNG
dd Lt Robert S. Guyton, Btry C, 2nd How Bn, 118th Arty 2 Lt Claude F. Catron, Jr., 201st Ord Co, Ga ARNG

Black, Harold A. to Captain Anderson, Marvin E. to Captain Stevens, William A. to Captain Green, Noel H. to 1st Lt.

MARCH, APRIL 1962

II

Miss

Dorothy ArmstrOHfl

Marianne (jordou

! acque!iue SimmoJta inda Myers

Delores Jlarp

G
M I

Finalists
Five devastatingly beautiful girls have been selected as finalists in a beauty contest to determine who will represent the Georgia Military Institute's first class as Miss GMI.
In a roundup of talent that would do credit to any national or statewide competition, Georgia's sharpeyed cadets have chosen a bevy of beauties that will give these goggleeyed judges something to muse over.
A committee of officers and cadets, headed by Lt. George J. Hearn III, has established the following requirements for eligibility for the young contestants:
She has to be recommended by a Cadet, must be 18 to 25 years of age, must be a relative, sweetheart or ndghbor of a Guardsman and must attend a GMI field training period if she is judged the winner.
Gracing this page are the five finalists, arranged in no particular ord er of preference, who will be in Forsy th May 19-20 to appear in person before the cadets for final selection of Miss GMI. The winner will attend the summer camp of GMI a t Travis Field, Savannah, for one or two days and will be on hand for the graduation ceremonies of the cadets to take place in July in Macon.
12

Dorothy Armstrong, 19, presently reigns as Miss Savannah, The Armstrong Junior College beauty is a Savannah native and recently worked for the Liberty National Bank. A blue-eyed blonde, Dorothy plans to enter the University of Georgia and to major in psychology. Sponsored by Cadet Richard A. Carter, Jr., she excells in dancing, having danced with the Savannah Symphony and for her talent in the Miss Savannah contest, Her hobbies are swimming, riding, sailing and skiing. She weighs 110, is 5' 4!1" and measures 34-23-35.

Brown-haired, brown-eyed and a statures que 36-24-38, Jacqueline L. Simmons is sponsored by Cadet Robert W. McGuinty. This Woodbi ne, Georgia, beauty attends Camden County High School where she is a majorette, member of the band and school soloist, She specializes in singing, leading her Sunday School class in songs, and representing her school at various events. She enjoys swimming, water skiing, skating and bicycle riding. She i s active is charitable work , serving as chai r man of the young peo ple' s Polio Drive. She is a member of the s ta ff of her school annual, former memb er o f the 4- 11 Club, member of the Tr i lliY, B and and the Glee Club.
MA RCH, APR IL 196 2

Marianne Gordon , 18-year-old Campus Queen of Athens High School, is a brown-haired, green-eyed beauty who has garnered most of the beauty laurels available on her campus, Among her titles, gathered during the past three years, are Miss Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Beauty, Miss WSB-TV, Georgia Peach, Miss Me"y Christmas Court, All-Star Queen and DeMolay Sweetheart. Recommended by Cadet Carl E. Brack of Monroe, Marianne weighs 117, is 5' 6" and rounds out at 36-24-36. She lists her talents as speech and singing.
From th e time shr won the title of Little Mi ss Austin (Texas), Linda Myers has graduated to such imposing contests as Miss Hunter AFB, Miss March of Dimes pageant, Miss Chatbam County, Miss May Sway, Miss Rose Bo wl and Miss Harvest Ball Queen. At 18, Linda is a student at Jenkins High School in Savannah where sh e likes to play baseball and participate in dramatics. Blonde and hazel-eyed, she weighs 110, is 5' 4" and measures 36-23-34. Her hobbies are typing and reading. Linda is sponsored by Cadet Eugene A, Henderson.

Hazel-eyed, honey-blonde Delores II arp of Decatur is sponsored by Cadet W. Joel Newsom, Jr. Delores is the daughter of a former Guardsman and was a recent contestant for Miss DeKalb County. She is employed by DeKalb County as secretary and artist in the office of Information and Research. She is presently enrolled in the Atlanta Art Institute. Delores is 20, measures 35-22-35, weighs 105 lbs. and is 5' 4". She is a graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School where she was art editor of the school paper, a class officer and member of the Future homemakers of America, excelling in fashion design and modeling. She was First Runner-up in the Junior Miss DeKalb Pageant. !fer primary talent is art, and she has exhibited her work at several locations, including the annual Piedmont Art Festival in Atlanta.

-. ~

. o HTID L ..

GUARD DEFENDS
AMERICA

................

Aqui.3i~ion9 Divi3ion The Univerdity of C~or;i~ The Univer3ity of Georgia Athens, Ccor5ia

"NO ORDERS JUST FIGHT! "

'

WAS THE WORD TO M EN OF 251 ST COAST

ARTILL ERY, NATIONAL. GUARDSMEN

EXPERIENCE COUNTS !
OVER SO% OF THE
OFFICERS IN COMMAND
OF PRESENT DAY NATIONAL. GUARO
UNITS ARE COMBAT
VETEI?ANS OF WWll OR KOREA

! ACES CALLED To THE COLORs' '

FROM CIVIL LIFE FIVE AIR

I

GUARDSMEN BECAME "ACE S'

l

D RING THE KOREAN

,-J

CO FLICT

~

~-~~');.

0

.(
~1

II

COLO STEEL OF THE BAYONET WON THE MEDAL OF HONOR
CORPORAl. TOM POPE I FRANCE
DURING WWI . HE SER VED IN
\31ST INFANTRY OF lLL INO IS