The Georgia guardsman [Vol. 7, no. 6 (Nov., Dec. 1957)]

November-December 1957

THE

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S

GOVERNOR MARVIN GRIFFIN

MESSAGE

MAJOR GENERAL CHARLIE F . CAMP

Fellow Guardsmen:
At this season of the year when the glitter of the Christmas decorations and the New Year's festivities put us in a holiday mood, we celebrate the joys of the Yuletide with thanksgiving.
The year 1957 has been momentous to the National Guard. Events during the past 12 months have served to put us on our guard ago inst the forces in power in our defense establishments in Washington who ore trying to thwart our mission and abolish the time-honored role of the Guardsman.
We can be thankful that they have not succeeded thus for in these plans. Our National Guard Association of the United States has taken a leading port in upholding our position in hearings before Congressional committees.
During 1958 we must face the challenge with enthusiasm and determination. The importance of o successful community relations program on a local level cannot be overemphasized. Each unit in every community in the notion will come under the close scrutiny of those who would seek I)Ur demise. It is up to us to build up and enlarge the prestige which has been our heritage for 300 years.
It is my desire to thank each of you for your service to our State and Nation during the past year. I wish for you and your families a bright and happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

THE GEORGIA
GUARDSMAN

16 GUARDSMEN REPRESENT 176 YEARS WITH AIR GUARD

Vol. 7 Nov, Dec 1957 No. 6
A publication of the Department of Defense, Military Division, State of Georgia. Published in the interest of the Georgia National Guard and cfjstri buted free to members of the National Guard of Georgia. The Guardsman receives AFPS material. AFPS material appearing herein cannot be reprinted without written permission of Armed Forces Press Service, 641 Washington Street ,
New York 14, N. Y.

MAJOR DOUGLAS EMBRY Editor
LT. ROBERT H. SPRAYBERRY Art Editor
SERGEANT DON GREER Photographic Technic ian
MISS GERALDINE CHILES Editorial Secretary
MR. BEN L . ELLINGTON Printing Supervisor
MRS . PATRICIA L. BRYANT Vari-typi st

Publication and Editorial Office

959 E. Confederate Ave., S. E.

Atlanta 2, Georgia







Honorable Marvin Griffin
Governor of Georgia

Major General Charlie F. Camp The Adjutant General

*





Savannah's 158th Fighter Interceptor Squadron celebrated the unit.' s eleventh anniv ersary on Saturda y, 12 Octobe~. In the accompanying photo are 16 officers and airmen who assist ed in organizing the squadron on 12 October 1946 at Chatham Field (now Travi s Field). They are still activ e in the Air National Guard units in Savannah. Thes e 16 members have a combined total of 176 years s ervice in the A ir Guard alone. All of them served in World War 11, and the majority served in reserv e and regular units prior to World War 11. From l-r are (bottom row): M/ Sgt Charles W. Kessler, M/ Sgt Marvin J. Ansley, M/ Sgt Walter E. Carter, M/ Sgt Leslie W. Dushane, and T / Sgt Louis R . Simone, all of the 158th. (Middle row): WO Marquis Metts, Field TNG Site Det, Lt. Colonel Creighton L. Rhodes, Commander of the 117th Aircraft Control & Warning Flight : Colonel William H. Kelly, Commander of the 116th Maintenance & Supply Group, and Bas e Detachment Cnmmander at Travis Field: Captain Phillips D. Hamilton , of th e 158th, and WO George W. Adams, 117th AC&W Flight. At the top are M/ Sgt John A. Drossopoulos, M/ Sgt Benjamin W. Berry, M/ SgtSamuel C. Elkins, M/ SgtJohn A. Bergman, Jr., M/ Sgt Charles S, Riggs,
and T / Sgt John C. Robider, All of the 158th.

158TH SQ. CELEBRATES ITS liTH ANNIVERSARY

Major Philip E. Colman's 158th Fighter Interceptor Squadron celebrated its eleventh anniversary Saturday evening, 12 October 1957, with a buffet supper a nd dance in the ballroom of the 158th headquarters

building at Travis Field, Savannah. Squadron personnel and their
ladies, with a number of distinguished civic and military guests, celebrated to music Johnny Phillips and his orchestra.

The opinions expressed in the Georgia Guardsman are those of the Staff Writers of the publication and members of the Georgia National Guard and do not necessarily reflect any official views of the Office of the
Adjutant General of Georgia.
NOV, DEC 1957

Our Cover..
Georgia Guardsmen of Rome's Co A, 163rd Tank Battalion, move in to Villa Rica in the wake of the tragic explosion which took 12 lives, Aiding the clean-up operation, Capt. Guy E. Amspoker (with speaker) of the battalion staff posts Guardsmen around the rubble of the destroyed buildings to protect community property. Later Douglasville's Co D, 122nd Armd lnf Bn, arrived to relieve the Rome unit which had been on
duty at the Etowah River. (See story and pictures on pages 2 and 3.)

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

VIOLENT EXPLOSION AT VILLA RICA, GA. BRINGS ROME, DOUGLASVILLE GUARDSMEN

Civil Defense, Volunteers Aiel Stricken Community

A pulverizing explosion shattered the business district of Villa Rica, Georgia,

December 4th destroying four buildings and killing 12 people. 'Mlile the quiet little

town was thrown into a mass of confusion, a few responsible officials set in motion

a rescue effort that swiftly and smoothly concentrated on rescue and clean-up

operations. Fire trucks, ambulances, a crane,
trucks and volunteers converged on the

Mr. Grantham advised them . what was needed and acted as a clearing house for

scene. The emergency brought Civil De- infcrmation between the rescue agen-

fense and National Guard organizations cies.

into action. Twenty-five Guardsmen from

Commanding the Guardsmen on emer-

Rome's Co A, 163rd Tank Battalion, gency duty at Villa Rica was Lt. Col.

already on State Duty at the scene of a Horace T. Clary, commander of the 163rd

drowning on the Etowah River near Tank Battalion with headquarters in

Cartersville, were rushed to Villa Rica. Calhoun. Capt. Guy E. Amspoker of the

They were soon joined by another con- battalion staff and Capt. Lewis C.

tingent of 25 Guardsmen from Douglas- Varnedoe, Ill, Co A commander, directed

ville.

the Rome Guardsmen. Capt. Frank

The Guardsmen were called out after Grainger; commander of Douglasville's

the Governor's Office was notified. Col. Co D, 122nd Armd lnf Bn, brought his

William R. Robinette, Director of NG Guardsmen to the scene to relieve the

Training, sounded the call in the ab- weary Rome Guardsmen. Guards wee

sence of the Adjutant General.

posted in front of stores whose windows

As informuion concerning the disaster had been blown out by the concussion of

filtered into the State Derartment of De- the blast, believed caused by a leak in a

fense (headquarters for the Georgia Na- gas main that filled the basements of the

tional Guard and State Gvil Defense), stores with the lethal fumes.

CD Communications Coordinator Jack

In addition to the Rome and Douglas-

Grantham relayed the requests f<r medi- ville units, 18 Guardsmen from the 201st

cal aid, special equipment and traffic Ordnance Co, 179th Armd FA Bn, and

rontrol to the appropriate agencies. Util- 48th Armd Signal Company were dis-

lizing radio communications with the patched to the area. Ten trucks, an am-

State Patrol, State Highway Department bulance and a 5-ton wrecker were sped

and a common Gvil Defense frequency, from Atlanta's National Guard reserva-

2

tion. Five more Guardsmen from Calhoun also brought needed supplies and e quipment.
A field kitchen, which had been providing meals for Guardsmen on duty at the Etowah River, was dispatched from Rome and set up in the base ment of the Gty Hall. Other rooms in the building were used by Guardsmen for sleeping between Guard shifts.
Reports of looting before they arrived kept the Guardsmen on constant aler t and no more incidents took place.
Besides protecting the exposed property, Guardsmen had such varied duties as operating generators, manning floodlights, and driving trucks filled with debris to the dumping area. Some helped clear out still undamaged merchandise from one of the stores which had collapsed. The first Guardsmen on the scene were those who drove Gvil Defense rescue trucks to the s moldering community. Guardsmen worked throughout the night and by 4 p. m. the next day were relieved from duty.
In spite of the confusion which prevailed after the heart-rending explosion, rescue '\\Orkers quickly went into ac tion and effectively rendered every possible service to the stricken community which had been hit with the imp1ct of a tornado.
NOV, DEC 1957

----------------------------------------------------------------------THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN
1- GUARDSMEN REMOVE ME RCHANDISE FROM DESTROYED STORE 2- COL. CLARY DIRECTS GUARDSMEN & VOLUNTEER AT SCENE 3- GENERATOR FOR FLOODLIGHTS IS REFUELED BY GUARDSMAN 4- NG TRUCK IS LOADED WITH DEBRIS IN RESCUE OPERATION 5- BUDDY OAKES GUARDS STORE FRONT NEXT TO BLAST AREA 6- CAPTS . VARNEDOE , GRAINGER CHECK ROSTER WITH F/ SGTS

NOV, DEC 1957

3

Officers and men of Hq & Hq Det received their MD badges and envelopes from Capt. Larry W. Smith of Station No. 9 in DeKalb County. Major George Roberts, detachment commander, is shoum receiving his data prior to the departure of the unit for neighbor-

hood doorsteps. At right, Lt. R. R. Morrison and Capt. Samuel
T. DeLoach of the 48th Armored Signal Co count the proceeds from their solicitations at the Decatur Fire Station with fireman
f. E. Adams.

Muscular Dystrophy Funds Solicited by Guardsmen

In Campaign to Finance Research & Care of Victims

Throughout the ramparts of the State in November, Guardsmen clad in green

and blue set out with enthusiasm and determination to solicit funds for

victims of Muscular Dystrophy.

It was the Georgia Army and Air ble, indications are that all goals

National Guard's contribution to the annual campaign conducted by the

will be met. In every instance reported to the Public Information

Muscular Dystrophy Association. Office thus far, collections exceeded

Beginning with Governor Griffin's signing of a proclamation calling for support of the MD effort, plans for the big drive began to take shape.

goals set by the MD association. In Savannah, Macon, Columbus and
other key cities no MD drive was conducted by the Guard since funds

Major General Charlie F. Camp, Adjutant General of Georgia, volunteered the services of Guard units for the "march" portion of the

for this charity were solicited as part of local Community Chests or United Givers Campaigns.
In Atlanta the Guardsmen were

campaign.

assisted by the fire departments of

With the theme "War Declared on Atlanta and DeKalb County which

Muscular Dystrophy," Guard organi- were responsible for allocating

zations mapped strategy to meet areas to be covered. Fire Stations in

goals set by the Muscular Dystrophy the Atlanta area were command posts

Association. Door-to-door solicita- for the Guardsmen who received

tions were conducted during a drill their envelopes and badges from

period in November. Maps of cities, station captains.

towns and communities were minutely

One of the highlights of the MD

dissected, portions were assigned to drive in the Atlanta area was a

squads of Army or Air Guardsmen and rough and tumble benefit football

neighborhoods were canvassed for game between the army and air

funds.

components of the Guard. Spawned

Although complete figures on the by 1st Lt. Morris Maddox, comman-

success of the drive are not avail- der. of the 116th Food Service

4

Squadron of the ANG, the game aroused considerable interest among sporting fans who saw many college and high school stars of recent years churn through the mud of Cheney Stadium November 23rd. Outcome of the contest was Army 25 - ANG 0. (Details of the game and halftime ceremonies appear elsewhere in this edition.)
Final tabulations of income from the many drives conducted thnughout the State have not been solidated since units making s, rations forwarded the funds , to the national headquarters i the MD association in New York. Georgia MD executive secretary Mike Goldwire said it might be as late as April before the total amount of the contributions were known in Georgia. (In the January-February edition of the Georgia Guardsman, a breakdown on unit solicitations will be published.)
Judging from reports reaching the. Public Information Office, donations to the MD fund have exceeded $10.00 per Guardsman on the average. Some units, not content with their door-to-
NOV, DEC 1957

----------------------------------------------------------------------THE GEORG/A GUARDSMAN

Col. W. R. Robinette Director of Training
For Ga. Nat'l Guard

PPC Carl Garner of the 48th Armored Signal Company receives a donation of $1.00 from Mrs. Lonnie Thomas of 615 W. Howard St, Decatur, for MD fund.
(Photo by Sgt Don Greer)
door solicitations, have continued their efforts to raise more money for the victims of MD by various other means. Indications are that many units have received considerable recognition for their efforts and have enjoyed enthusiastic public support in their charitable endeavors.
Benefits of the drive are still being derived in the form of generous contributions from the public and prestige and good will from local communities.
r. J -I'll 0>'

/

~~~~

NO DOUBT SOME CAPITALIST TRICK IGOR II

NOV, DEC 1957

Colonel William R. Robinette, USA (Retd) recently appointed Director of Training for the Georgia National Guard is no stranger to the Guard's capabilities, mission, functions and operations. He has spent 12 of his 35 years of service in association with the Guard.
Star ting his military career with the 117th Infantry, Tennessee National Guard, and reenlisting in the 164th Engineers, he served 4 years from 1923 to 1927 as a Guardsman. After enlisting in the Regular Army, Col Robinette was assigned as the sergeant advisor to the 108th Cavalry, Georgia National Guard in 1938, He served in this capaciry until 1941 at which time the unit was converted to the lOlst AAA Battalion. During the prewar emergency in 1941 Robinette was commissioned a lst Lieutenant in Battery A, 101st AAA Battalion of Savannah. He went overseas with this unit and remained with it until July 1945, serving with such distinguished Guardsmen as Governor Marvin Griffin, Lt Gen Joseph B. Fraser, Maj Gen Charlie F. Camp, Brig GenA. Lester Henderson, Colonels Theodore Goulsby, Mike Hendrix, Paul Caswell, Don Mees and Paul Innecken. He commanded the lOlst Battalion from May
1944 to July 1945. After World War II, Col Robinette re-
mained in the Philippines with the Military Police Command to help restore law and order. He commanded the Battalion responsible for custody and execution of convicted war criminals of General Yamashita's Japanese Army. He recruited, organized, trained and directed 500 Filipino civilian guards to protect U. S. property when the army carne horne after World War II.
Returning from World War II, Col
Robinette was assigned as artillery advisor to the Rhode Island National Guard. He helped organize, equip and train the 243rd AAA Group. (One battery of which won the Eisenhower Trophy for four consecutive years.) During this period he also acted as Inspector General and visited units of the Massachu-

COL . W. R. ROBINETTE
etts National Guard to conduct annual armory inspections. He became the statf Senior Advisor in 1951 in Rhode Island.
In 1952-53, Col Robinette as Assist ant Inspector General, Sixth Army wcrked with National Guard units sta tioned in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah.
In Korea he commanded the 25,00( oriental prisoners of war on Koje D< Island who a year earlier created thf infamous bloody Koje-Do Riots anc effected the capture of a U. S. Army General.
In 1953-54 he participated as Unite< States observer to the P.O.W. Repatri ation and Explanations at Panrnumjon Korea. Later established a camp fer the reception and care of displaced person ~ of the Korean War. In 1955 and 1956 he was the Chief of Psychological Warfare Operations of the Far East Command anc United Nations Command. This unit con tained personnel from seven differen1 nations and was engaged in counterin~ Communist propaganda throughout Southeast Asia and Japan.
Colonel Robinette's last Regular Arm) assignment was Army Chief of Psychological Warfare Planning in the Pentagon
He holds 3 Presidential Unit Citations for action in New Guinea, Philippines and Korea He has also been awarded Korean Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal and the Commendation Ribbon with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
5

THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN-------------------------------------~ ------------------------------------------------------------------------THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN
Gridiron is Battlefield for Army- Air National Guard War on Muscular Dystrophy

Two determined forces of Georgia National Guardsmen, representing both he army and air components, clashed on a 100-yard battle field in Atlanta ovember 23rd during one campaign of the Guard's War on Mus<;ular Dystrophy.
The winners of the contest were the victims of the dread desease who are looking forward to some cure for the cripling malady. Husky former college and high school stars contributed their talents to the football game.

On the top of the score was the Army team which scored in every quarter to wind up with a 25 to 0 victOry. The scoring does not reflect the closeness of the game , how ever, since a muddy field hampered players on both sides.
C oached by College Park Athletic Director Dick Lane, the Army team kicked off to the ANG squad coached by Lt. Morris Maddox and Lt. Col. Pressley (an officer in the Army NG 's Selective Service section of Hq & Hq Det , Ga NG.) After an exchange of downs, during which neither team gained appreciably, the airmen dropped back to kick only a few yards from their own goal. The crucial kick was blocked by Georgia star Harold Reese, and the ball skidded out of the end zon e for a safety for the Arm y. Score - Army: 2 Air : 0.
Tasting a sample of victory, the Army gridders turned loose in th e second quarter for their best offensive showing of the game. Their first touchdown came early in the period after driving steadily down field. Temporari'ly stalled near the ANG 30, the Army team rus hed in their talented quarterback, Bobby North, former Georgia Tech star, who rifled a touchdown pass to end Charley Harris , formerly of the University of Georgia. The point after was no good.
Later in the period, after an excHange of punts , the Army team came roaring back with a series of plunges through and around a stout ANG line that limited its foe to short but sufficient yardage. Nevertheless the Army could not be denied, and

1- The powerful defensive team of the Army NG poses before game time. Using red jerseys, they yielded yardage like it was rich in uran ium ore. 2- Escorted and held aloft by Airman 1/ C Eugene S. Hall and Pfc Park Davidson, beauti-

after working their way down to the two-yard line, the ball was bucked over by quarterback Dan McEachern. The attempted kick was blocked and the half ended with the Army leading 14-0.
At the beginning of the second half, it looked like the tide was turning. The ANG team kicked off and stopped the Army's first drive. Receiving the Army's kick, the airmen worked their way methodically down the field. Sparked by passes from Glenn Cato to Robert West, former end at the University of Georgia the ANG's offensive was clicking
off yardage. Within striking distance of pay-dirt at the Army 23, the airmen launched another pass that was intercepted by the Arm y at its 14,

stopping the drive. Having given as much ground as
they intended to, the Army team countered with some fancy footwork and aerial strategy that resulted in
another touchdown when quarter back Reggie Ballard threw a pass good for 25-30 yards to Charley Harris who made a spectacular catch just before falling out of the end zone. Then halfback Sonny Harmon, a
5'6", 165-lb engineer who looked
like he was standing in one of the many mudholes, made a perfect placekick for the extra point. Score - Army: 21, Air: 0.
Shortly after receiving the kickoff, the ANG team lost a fumbl e at their 25. Powerful thrusts by the Army brought them to the ANG 4

6 NOV, DEC 1957

ful little Paulo Jane Prickett flashes the bright smile that provided the insp iration for the game . 3- The ANG'_s star tin g lineup gets ready for the opening kickoff. 4- McEachern lies on his fac e (center) clutching the ball. 5- Team cap-
where they we re stopped by RG John Godwin. Before the airmen emerged from the shadows of their goalposts, they became victims of two safeties as fierce line play combined with a soggy field and slippery ball to bog down their offense.
Once they were out on the open field again, at the twilight of the fourth quarter , the ANG team again picked up steam. Professionally executed passes from Glenn Cato to Cohen Davis and Robert West put the airmen within scoring distance once more. But an alert Army defense .. which had repulsed a wealth of vicious assaults by the airmen all night, stifled the drive with another interception. The game ended with the Army 25, ANG 0.
NOV, DEC 1957

tains Buddy Ragsdale and Gibbs Mobley for the Army NG
flank the game officials at left while ANG co-captains Robert West and Cohen Davis stand at right. 6- Taking a breather, these ANG gridders bore the brunt of the Army.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD - Jimmy Tollison, Bobby North, Dan McEachern, Reggie Ballard, Bud Ballew, Murry Morrison, Gibbs Mobley, Buddy Ragsdale, Lawrence Warren, Kenneth Warren, Harold Owen, Delano Brannon, Roma Martin, Deloys Yancey, Charley Harris, Don Hollingsworth, Bill Dunford, Max Monteiph, Frank Watkins, Frank Denson, Hoot Gibson, Max Bone, Jack Kane, D. E. Harris, Max Edens, AI Cameron, Lamar Goss, Harold Reese, Shetman Shivers, R. E . Hay good, J. A. Thomas, B. S. Green, Allen Rodgers , B. Schmitto, H. Sims, Jim Harvey, Ted Bankston, Charles McCain, Bill Newman, Hoyt Redd,,Bull Guyton, Earl Heines, Bill Patton, Red Brazelton, H. R.

Jackson, Paul Jackson, Jerry Strawn, Gene Chandler, Connelly Rupport, Bob O'Neal, Tony White and Charley Dickerson. AIR NATIONAL GUARD - Morris Maddox, Robert Wrest, Delone Stanley, Paul Forrester, Glenn Cato, Jack Hulsey, Randolph Warr, Buck R ansom , Cohen Davis, B. H. Woody, Jimmy Reid, R. E. Williams, Tom Sumner, Floyd Polk, Jim Gay , Joe D. Manous, W. B. Joiner, Marvin Brown, Bill Bussey, Jim Dillon, John Butler, Joe Duval, Ed Friend, Jr., Jim Edwards , Dick Roberts, John Godwin, Cecil Davis, Charlie Broome, Robert Erwin, Ronald Strausser, Lamar Wheeler, Amos Bryant, Rex Bell, Wayne Brand, James McFarland, Bill Bannister, Pannell and Wilson

7

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

GORDON MILITARY COLLEGE DRILL TEAM FIRES SALUTE
SOUTHWEST DEKALB BEAUTIES CHEERED ARMY NG TEAM TO VICTORY
,a

PAULA JANE PRICKETT
HALF TIME FEATURES
M.D. POSTER QUEEN,
COLLEGE DRILL TEAMS
Colorful ceremonies were spliced between the halves of the Army-Air National Guard game. Music was furnished by the 530th AF Band of the ANG, conducted by CWO John Love. Also featured were the drill teams of Gordon Military College from Barnesville and Georgia Military College from Milledgeville. Dispite the handicap of a muddy field both put on exceptionally sharp demonstrations. The winning team of nine Georgia Military College cadets, which performed almost every maneuver in the book without a hitch, was presented with a trophy by Miss Betsy Tant, Miss Atlanta of 195 7. The team captain also received a bonus - a victory kiss from the beautiful brunette.
Gordon Military College, with a delegation of 25 cromium-helmeted cadets, pranced up and down the field led by a four shapely majorettes. At the outset of the ceremonies, the team captains presented flowers to Georgia's MD Poster Girl, Miss Paula Jane Prickett. Paula Jane was escorted by a Military and Air Policeman and was presented to the audience of 3,000 spectators. Her bright, friendly smile was apparent to those on the back rows of both stands as she waved a cheery greeting.
During the game, 10 gorgeous cheer leaders from Southwest Dekalb High School bouyed the spirits of the Army NG boosters with enthusiastic demonstrations of partisan support.
NOV, DEC 1957

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

It was a tight squeeze for the 158th' s "Thunderjet" as it was towed through Savannah's residential section on the way to its new home at Daffin Park. Donated to a local

American Legion Post by the Savannah squadron, the jet was dis-assembled for the journey and put back togeth er at th e park site by the maintenance personnel.

CADET YARBROUGH
LEADS PILOT CLASS
Aviation Cadet Harry F. Yarbrough, 158th Ftr lnt Sq, has been selected Wing Commander of his class of aviation cadets at Pre-Flight School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
The Savannahian started out with 3,000 cadets to learn to fly jet planes and in six weeks advanced to the top of his class.
Cadet Yarbrough, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Boyd Yarbmugh, is a graduate :>f Savannah High School where he held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the ROTC. He learned to fly while a member of the Civil Air Patrol, in which he advanced in rank to captain.
He was the winner of a Union Bag-Camp Paper Corporation scholarship to Georgia Tech. He attended Tech for three years before entering the Air National Guard's aviation cadet program.
Cadet Yarbrough enlisted in the 15 8th 13 March 195 7 for the purpose of attending pilot training. He report ed to Lackland vn 14 August 1957.
Some people are born with cold feet, some acquire cold feet, and others have cold feet thrust upon them.
We can all be gra teful for venetiar blinds. If 1t weren' t. for them it would be curtains for us.
NOV, DEC 1957

Maior Joe B. Smith
Commands Recon Bn
Major Joe B. Smith, a Silver Star holder from Newnan, has assumed comma!1d of the 48th Reconnaissance Battalion with Hq in Jackson. Major Smith succeeds Lt. Col. Robert F . Zeigler, former G-3 of the 48th A;mored Division and more recently the Recon battalion commander, who is retiring from military service .
Entering the Army as a private in August of 1942, Major Smith complet ed basic training and heavy weapons training at Camp Croft, S. C. and graduated from the Infantry School OCS at Ft. Benning in March 1943. Major Smith qualified as a paratrooper and served with the 17th and 82nd Airborne Divisions in the ETO as a platoon leader and company commander of a rifle c cmpany.
His courageous service during this period earned for him the coveted Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals plus the Purple Heart and ETO ribbon with Bronze Arrowhead for assult landing on enemy held territory. His campaign battle stars were for his action in Northern France, Holland, battle of the Bulge and Rhineland campaign of central Germany.
A holder also of the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Major Smith served with the original allied occupation forces in Potsdam. Released

Obsolete F-840 Jet
Donated to Legion
By 158th Squadron
One of the obsolete F-84D "Thunder jets" of the Georgia Air National Guard, junked last January, has been presented to American Legion Post 36 in Savannah by Major Philip E. Colman, commander of the 158th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.
Having received authority to dispose of the jet which had been used for training mechanics, Air Guard officials had the "ancient'' craft dis-assembled and moved to Daffin Park where it was put together again by squadron maintenance personnel.
Plans are for it to be mounted on a platform by the City Recreation Department. Daffin Park, one of the largest recreation spots in the southeast, has many other attractions which will enhance the value of the jet-age display.
from ac tive duty in 1946, he joined the Guard's Co C, 122nd Infantry Regiment in 1949. Promoted to Major in 1951, he served as operations officer, S-3, of the 1st Bn, 122nd Inf Reg. Prior to his assumption of the command of the 48th Recon Bn, he was Operations and Executive Officer of the battalion.
9

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

LT .GEI.PATRICK SEA WRIGHT RETIRES AS 48th ARMD DIVISIOI COMMAIDER

MERRITT, DAVIS ADVANCED TO GENERALS

Cbanges in the commarrl of the 48th Armored Division, resulting from the retirement

of General Patrick E. Seawright, has resulted in a series of protrotions fcx senicx Na-

tional Guard Officers.

Florida's Gen. Maxwell C. Snyder has

assumed command of the division and is

now eligible fcx the rank of major gen-

eral. Stepping into the assistant division

commander's position is Brigadier Gen-

eral Benjamin F. Merritt, former com-

mander of the 48th Armored Division

Artillery.

New division artillery commander is

Brigadier General Cbarles L. Davis who

also has added a star on his shoulder.

Col. Wyont Bean, fcxmer commander of

the 179th Armd FA Bn, has been pro-

moted and federally recognized as a

colonel in his new position as executive

officer of the division artillery.

Lt. Col. Lewis D. Wagner, veteran

officer of the 179th, has assumed command r:i. the armored artillery battalion after serving as executive officer. He has received federal recognition as lieu-

General Camp pins third star on shoulder of Lt. Gen. Seawright at ceremonies honoring the retiring officer after 39 years
service.

tenant colonel.
GENERAL SEAWRIGHT-
1be retirement of General Seawright was effective 30 September when the able and respected soldier stepped down after devoting more . than 39 years service to his state and nation. The popular officer was given a party in his honor 19 October at ~ich time he was a warded his third stal: by the Adjutant General of Georgia, Major General Charlie F. Camp.
Lieutenant General Seawright had become division commander upon the retirement of Lt. Gen. Joseph B. Fraser 1 August 1956. Until that time General Seawright had commanded the 48th Armd Division Artillery since December 1947. Bcxn in Atlanta in August 1896, he attended Georgia Tech where he graduated with a degree in electrical. His military schooling includes completion of special courses at the Command and General Staff College in the years 1948, 49, 50, 53 and 56.

His initial federal service with the armed forc es was as an Ensign in the US Navy beginning in May 1918. Upon release from active duty w ith the Navy in December 1919, he remained active in the naval reserve, a nd in July 1930, General Se awright joined Savannah' s llBth Field Artillery Regiment as a first lieutenant. Going on acti ve duty with the 118th in 194 0 as a Capt ain, he served in tha t ca pacity until
February 194 1 when he transferred to the 230th Field Artillery , becoming executive o fficer.
After completing his duty with the 230th, General Seawright was promoted to lieutenant colonel and became battalion comma nder of the 19 7th Field Artillery Battalion of the 30th Division. He was the only commander of the 197th, a wartime unit that fought in the European Theater of operations under com bat conditions.
He became a full colonel in December 1945 and was released from active service in February, 1946. As

one of the orginal org anizers of the Georgia National Guard components in the post war period, General Seawright became executive officer of the 48th Division Artillery i n June 1947 a nd in December of that year bec ame division artillery commander.
GENERAL MERR ITT-
Col. Meritt served on both North Africa and European fronts during World War II, and hold s the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and French anc Belgium Croix de Guerre decorations. He has 5 battle stars on his ETO ribbon.
Promoted to full colonel in 1945 Col. Merritt began his long associa-' tion with the Georgia National Gua rd 1 Dec 1924 when he enlisted as a private. He received his commission 1n the ORC 21 Aug 1927.
In July 1937, Colonel Merritt accepted appointment in the Guard as captain, commanding Hq Co, 59th Inf Brigade , 30th lnf Div in Macon. En~ering on active du~y in that capacity 10 l94V, Col. Merutt later served in the G-3 section of the 30th Div. He attended the Command and General Staff college from Dec 4 1 to Jan 42 .
His overs~ as service began in F ebruary 1942 and lasted 3~ years. The duty included service on the staffs of General Eisenhower, General Bradley and Field Marshall Montgomery in the plans and operations sections.
Col. Merritt served as chief of Staff of the 48th from 1946 to March 1951. During the period from March 51 to Feb 52, when the position of Asst. Division Commander was ir Georgia, he served in that capacity. He then reverted to his C/ S position.
[
------<._
BRIG. GEN. B. F. MERRITT

10

NOV, DEC 1957

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

~ BRIG. GEN . CHARLES L. DAVIS

COL. WYONT B. BEAN

GENERAL DAVIS-
Col. Davis enlisted in the National Guard i n Savann a h 19 July 1929. Inducted into federal service as a lieutenant in 1940, he served with the the 77th Division throughout World War II.
Discharged as a lieut enant colonel in 1946, he returned to Savannah where he rejoined the Guard. In 1949 he was named executive officer of the 48tP. Division Artillery and was promoted to full colonel.
COLONEL BEAN -
Col. Bean enlisted in the Georgia National Guard on February 22, 1924 and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant on July 7, 1931. After being mobilized with the 179th on February 24, 1941, Col. Bean served in the E uropean Theatre of Operation through three campaigns. During his active military servic e he served with the 472nd FA Group and was executive officer and battalion commander of the 694 th FA Battalion. Col. Bean is a graduate of the basic and advance courses of the Artillery School, Fort Sill, Okla. and Command and General Staff School, Fort Levenworth, Kansas. His son, Wyont B. Bean, Jr., was recently commissioned a second lieutenant in the 179th FA Bn. Col. and Mrs. Bean reside at 979 Eden Avenue, S. E ., Atlanta.

on March 29, 1937 and received his commission November 9, 1940. He was mobilized with the 179th and served in the E uropean Theater. For his heroic action in five major campaigns, Col. Wagner was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart Medals. Col. Wagner has served as operations officer and executive officer of the battalion since November 1, 1947. A graduate of the Basic and Advance Officer Courses of the Artillery School,
Col. Wagner was an instructor in gunnery at the Artillery School during 195 0 and 1951. Col. Wagner has never served in any organization other than the 179th during his military s ervice. He has served in every s taff position and has commanded every battery in the Battalion during his period of service.

LT. COLONEL WAGNER-
Col. Wag ner enlisted in the Guard

LT. COL. LEWIS D. WAGNER

NOV, DEC 1957

COL. WILLIAM F . MANRY, Ill
COL. MANRY PROMOTED
William F . Manry, III, Personnel Staff Officer, Hq, Ga ANG, has been promoted and federally recognized as a full colonel effective 9 Aug 57.
He has been an Air National Guardsman since Sep 1946, when he became adjutant of the 116th Fighter Group.
Graduating from Georgia Tech in 1941 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Col. Manry was inducted into federal service in January 1942. Becoming an armament officer, he served in that capacity in the ETO with the 358th Fighter Squadron, later becoming the squadron's executive officer.
As an Air Guardsman in 1950, he was again called into federal service during the Korean action. Commanding Hq & Hq Sqdn, 116th Air Base Group, he served in California and Japan. Returning from this duty in Nove mber 1952, he was appointed executive officer of the fighter group. He was assigned to Headquarters, Ga ANG in August 1955.
EDITION RUNS LATE
The recent illness of The Georgia Guardsman ' s printer, Ben Ellington, and our vori-typ ist, Mrs. Pot Bryant, caused on unavoidable delay in the publication of this edition. While Mrs. Anne Milam performed admirably as assistant veri typist, we could not get anyone qualif ied to handle Mr. Ellington's press. However, both ore now bock on the job and ore in relatively good repair, or else the magazine would still be in plate form only. The normal schedule for the pub1ication of The Guardsman, the third week of every other month, wi II be resumed in February. -- Ed
11

THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN-- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - _ _ . : _ - - - --
Atlanta~s 1957 Veterans Day Parade


Army National Guard units in t he Atlanta area took advantage of their annual participation in the Veterans Day Parade to bring to the attention of the p ub lic the Guard's War on Muscular Dystrophy. Each of the twenty vehicles entered in the parade bore large red and blue signs pointing out that Guardsmen were about to come knocking on doors throughout the city in order to raise funds for research and operation of the MD Association. Photos on this page show portions of the equipment, and (at top left) the reviewing stand at the Capitol Oty Club. Major General Charlie F. Camp, left, was among the officers of the armed services observing the tribute to
veterans of all wars .
.,. ~ ""'17 .,... .,..
' \, \& ~ n

12

NOV, DEC 1957

Hollywood hos been kind to furnish your magazine
photos of a galaxy of stars and starlets in past editions, it occurred to your editor that Guardsmen throughout the State would prefer on occasion to see a local beauty grace this page. Fortunately the environs of the Public Information Office abounds with pulchritude just as entrancing as is found in California. Some of our Georgia charmers have decided not to migrate to the West Coast in search of fame and fortune and have remained to decorate our native State "from Raburn Gap to Tybee Light." Condescending to pose for us in this "inaugural" photo is Miss Sue Carlile, secretary to the State Maintenance Officer in the United States Property and Fiscal Office for Georgia. Sue, who poses here as Mrs. Santa Claus, joins us in wishing all of you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.

NATIONAL
G~1 ARO
DEniOS

..... .....

Gift & Exchange Section

University of Geor ~ ia

University Librarie9

Athens , Ga.

(1)

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Two duck hunters, missing since 29 November, have been the ob- deployed along the river using probes and nets. Lt. James

ject of on intensive search by Guardsmen of Rome's Co A, 163rd Strickland and Col. W. R. Robinette searched by helicopter. T wo

Tonk Bn. Beginning 1 December, the search was concentrated o- L-19's, flown by Lt.'s Neal and Bailey, jo ined the aer ial mis-

long the Etowah River near Cartersville where the sportsmen sion. Captains Amspoker, McKelvy and Varnedoe helped di rect

were belieyed to have drowned. After the hunters' boat was dis- the operations. Dynamiting the river 1S Dec was tried. Despite

covered downstream by Lt. Col. Emmett Plunkett, dragging opera- all efforts, the hunters have not yet been found. Nine Guardsme n

tions were' begun. Under the direction of Lt. Col. Horace T. were still on the scene 19 Dec. (Photo by station WBI E ,

Clary, battalion commander, some 70 Guardsmen in 16 boats were

Marietta )