May-June 1969
GOVERNOR ERNEST VANDIVER
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S MESSAGE
MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE J. HE ARN
Fellow Guardsmen:
After many months of planning and study, reorganization and redesignation of Georgia's Army National Guard units bas been accomplished. Final approval of the plan bas been received by the National Guard Bureau.
Georgia bas been indeed fortunate. Our State will not have to lose a single enlisted man or a single officer. While shifts of branch will be prevalent due to the authorization of signal organizations, officers will be transferred without waiver provided they are not under waiver as of July 1st, the effective date of reorganization.
Newly authorized are a signal depot and three signal battalions. Since the signal units are made up principally of technicians who must be familiar with electronics, each community bad to be examined as a potential source of such personnel. This examination clearly showed that only cities of comparatively high population density could furnish this manpower. Therefore, the communications units were placed in the Atlanta, Savannah, Brunswick and Fort Gordon areas.
Georgia retains two-thirds of the 48th Armored Division in which very few TO&E changes are made. The State does, however, come under the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS) which divides the State into five historically significant sections. Details of the reorganization may be found on pages six and seven of this edition.
Thus Georgia enters a new era of military preparedness, geared to the new Pentomic concept of warfare. I am confident that, as we undergo this changeover, our traditionally high esprit de corps will prevail and our accomplishments will justify the confidence that the National Guard Bureau bas placed in the Georgia Army National Guard.
.---------------------------------------------------------------------THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN * * * * * *- * * * * * * * * * * * *
THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN
Vol. 9 May, June 1959 No. 3
A publication of the Department of Defen se, Military Division, State of Georgia . Publi shed in the interest of the Georgia National Guard and distributed free to members of the National Guard of Georgia. The Guardsman receives AFPS ma terial.
Ci ~
-> ->
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'I l........ .
,
Honorable Ernest Vandiver
Governor of Georgia
Major General George J. Hearn
The Adjutant General
MAJOR DOUGLAS EMBRY Editor
Publication and Editorial Office 959 E . Confederate Ave., S. E.,
Atlanta 16, Georgia
Th e oputtons expressed in the Georgia Guardsman are th ose of the Staff Writ ers of the Publication and members of the Georgia National Guard and do not necessarily reflect any official views of the Office of th e
Adjutant General of Georgia.
* * *****************
Our Cover ...
The evolution of the Georgia National Guard from colonial militia to its present status as a modern combat-ready force, capable of manning the most advanced weapons, is symbolically illustrated on our cover th is month . On the eve of conversion and reorganization, Georgia Guardsmen of the 48th Armored Division soon will be armed with the Honest John Rocket as the Georgia-Florida division is phased into the "pentomic concept" of modern warefare.
Conductor: "This train goes to Philadelphia and points west."
Elderly woman: "Well, I want a train that goes to Altoona and I don't care which way it points."
Governor Vandiver is shown signing a proclamation designating Saturday, May 16, as Armed Forces Day in Georgia. Looking on are members of the State Armed Forces Day Project Group, consisting of (left to right) Colonel George E. Baya, deputy commander of XII U. S. Army Corps (Res.} and State Armed Forces Day Project Officer; Chief Jack A. Harrison, Coast Guard Recruiting Officer, Atlanta; Commander Paul Lumpee, Operations Officer at the Atlanta Naval Air Station; Major Paul L. Robinson, commander of the Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Atlanta; Lt. Colonel Ted R. Lehman, commander of the Atlanta Air Reserve Center, and Major Douglas Embry,
of the Georgia National Guard, Atlanta. (U S ARMY PHOTO)
Aerial 'Minute Men'
Complete Jet Tour
Colorado's "Minute Men" ;ill wind up a three year tour as the official Air National Guard jet demonstration team with a performance in Anchorage, Alaska, on Memorial Day.
This will be the final show presented by the colorful F- 86F team which has performed for more than six million people throughout the United States and its possessions. On their return, team members will devote full attention to their assignments in the 140th Air Defense Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard.
In visiting Alaska the team will have covered virtually every state, including the Nation's two newest. The Minute Men performed in Hawaii in 1957. Its Anchorage appearance also completes a span of the North American continent this year.lnJanuary the Air Guardsmen visited the Panama Canal Zone and Central American countries.
Throughout most of their tour as the official Air Guard show team, the Minute Men were led by Colonel Walter E. Williams, Jr., who commands the 140th Fighter Interceptor Group in Denver.
Talented Engineers
Tackle Travis Tasks
Laden with heavy equipment, Georgia Guardsmen of the 878th Engineer Construction Battalion will move into Travis Field, Savannah, June 21st for two weeks of realistic training. Slated to embellish the work they performed last year at Travis, the engineers will perform the follo wing missions at the ANG facility as well as their routine training chores:
* Pave 7900 square yards of addi-
tional parking area on Brush wood Drive.
* Install parking bumpers on Oel-
schig Drive.
* Pave access road from ramp to
117th Tac Hospital area. Repair bridge at end of runway 5. Pave road by theater. Clear 30 acres of woods inside air field. Clear 105 acres of land at ends of runway 9- 27.
* Complete inside of buildings they
constructed last year. The 878th, wi th headquarters in
Atlanta and units in Lawren ceville and Lavonia, is commanded by Lt. Col. Earl Bodron.
MAY, JUNE 1959
THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -
********************************
Landlocked Rome Guardsmen Join Forces with Navy
Land Blimp After Tug-0-War With Sub Cha ser
In the dozen or so years since the first National Guard company was acti- across intervening grass areas. This
vated in Rome, Guardsmen from this Northwest Georgia ciry have been called time the 20 Guardsmen stag ed a mass
upon for just about every type of duty imaginable.
sprint of 75 to 100 yards to stay in
They have assisted civil authorities in hunting down armed desperadoes, position on the bowlines and then
performed searches for missing persons, stood guard over a blast-damaged had to hold on manfully as the wind
town, aided the Air Force with downed aircraft and have taken part in nu- pushed the big "sausage" around.
merous charitable fund-raising projects.
Actually, the landings went off
On May 18 they took on a duty course, causing it to be "waved off" strange even for them - aiding the once. But, the Guardsmen raced af-
without particular incident and not the slighest injury except maybe
U. S. Navy in landing, of all things, ter its dangling nose lines and se- "winding" a iew of the sprinters.
a blimp - the first ever to come to earth at Rome's Russell Field.
Here's the way that assignment, carried out by Rome's Company A, 163rd Tank Battalion, came about:
To kick off its "Share in America" savings bond campaign in Northwest Georgia, the Treasury Department
cured it on the second try.
+ + +
Barron, accompanied by press and radio representatives, boarded the airship for an hour's cruise around Rome while the Company A Guardsmen awaited their return and a second landing assist.
But, the Guardsmen were cautioned by the Navy personnel beforehand that their job could be dangerous and that, if the airship began drifting toward them on the gro und to "hit the deck" to avoid propellers of its two engines. The Arm y men interpreted this, of course, as " hit
asked the Navy's Lighter-Than-Air
The second was even more of a the dirt" and were prepared for a ny
Command at Glynco Naval Air Sta- struggle. Two "wave offs" were fol- eventuality.
tion, Brunswick, to send one of its lowed by what appeared to be a per-
The Guardsmen won a Navy "well
submarine-chaser blimps on a flight fect approach; but, just as the blimp done" for their handling of th e ai r-
to the north Georgia mountains.
touched down on its single wheel, ship and chalked up a new " first"
The Navy agreed and notified Bond the wind shifted and sent the airship for the Guard in Rome and possibly
Campaign Chairman Frank Barron sliding sideways off the runway and even the U. S.
that it would attempt a landing in
Rome to pick up several passengers
for a flight over the area. But, the
Navy added, it would need men for a
ground party to accomplish the land-
ing.
Barron quickly contacted Captain
Lewis C. Vamedoe, "A" Company
commander, and asked for 20 volun-
teers. At the appointed time, the
detail, dressed in neat, starched fa-
tigues, showed up at Russell Field
under the command of 1st Lt John E.
Yarbrough, "A" Company exec, and
2nd Lt. Ronald Winslett.
The Guardsmen were briefed on
handling the blimp's ground control
lines by a four man Naval advance
party which had flown in ahead of
the airship. When the 285-foot long
lighter-than-air craft hovered over
the field they took up station at the
field's runway intersection.
As luck would have it, it was a
tricky day for manual landing of
blimps even for the Navymen, much LINE OF ROME GUARDSMEN REEL IN BOWLINES OF NAVY BLIMP FOR
less Army Guard tankers. Variable TREASURY DEPARTMENT'S "SHARE IN AMERICA" SAVINGS BOND DRIVE
gusts of wind shifted the airship off
2
MAY, JUNE 1959
----------------------------------------------------------------------THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN
MAJOR PAUL R. SMITH
MAJOR SHEFTALL B. COLEMAN
158th Fighter Sq. Commander Is Command Pilot, WW II Ace
Major Sheftall B. Coleman, commander of Savannah's 158th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, was a warded the wings of a command pilot J anuary 9th, after completing 3,000 hours of flying and 15 years of rated service.
The veteran Savannah Air Guardsman is an ace, having gunned down seven enemy aircraft during 120 combat missions in the ETO during WW II and is credited with another half of a kill by assisting in the destruction of an eighth "bandit." His victories were over Me 109's, FW 190's, He 111's and Ju 88's.
Taking over the Travis Field jet squadron on July 12, 1958, Major Coleman has guided his pilots through the difficult transition from the F-84F Thunderstreak to the F-86 Saber Jet while working full time at Travis as Operations Supervisor.
The squadron commander is a native Savannahian, having attended Savannah grade schools, Armstrong Junior College and the University of Georgia.
MAY, JUNE 1959
Entering service April 2, 1942, as an aviation cadet, he began his flying career. Completing his flying training at Luke Field, Arizona, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded the rating of pilot.
Major Coleman was a fighter pilot, flying the P-51 "Mustang," when he won the Distinguished Flying Cross. Decorated for a combat mission over enemy territory August 25, 1944, Lt. Coleman was cited for demonstrating "outstanding courage and flying skill in vigorously pressing home an attack upon superior numbers of enemy aircraft. In the face of overwhelming odds, he exhibited remarkable calm and aggressive tactical technique and was successful in the destruction of one of the hostile planes, while assisting in the dispersal of the remainder."
Major Coleman has been a member of the squadron he commands for the past eight and a half years. During the Korean conflict, he had a "classified" assignment.
Command Pilot wings have been awarded the Air National Guard officers on this page for accomplishing the following flying requirements: Having been a rated (flying) officer for 15 years Having compiled 3,000 hours flying time Having accomplished 50 hours of total first pilot weather instrument flying time Having logged 10 hours of weather time in the last year Having logged 15 hours of instrument time in last six months Having passed written and flying examinations for qualification as a Green Instrument Card Pilot (Green card pilots have authority to sign their own flight clearances.)
MAJOR JAMES H. HULSEY 3
THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN------------------------------~~
19 GEORGIA NAT'L GUARD NON-COMS
TO GET TOP PAY GRADES E-8 & E-9
Top pay grades (E-8 and E-9), with new titles and insignia for non-commissioned officers and specialists, are being introduced into the Army Reserve and National Guard.
The new pay grades went into effect for the active forces a year ago with the passage of the Military Pay Bill by the 85th Congress.
Pay grades E-8 and E-9 will be used to accommodate key leadership positions in the Reserve Components similar to that of the Active Army, such as First Sergeants, Sergeants Major and positions occupied by technically qualified non-commissioned officers in critical areas and selected critical specialist personnel.
Georgia is authorized 19 of the 871 slots for Guardsmen in the new pay grade. Implementation of the new rank titles will be delayed pending reorganization and redesignation. Names of non-coms getting the higher grade will be published in a subsequent edition of The Georgia Guardsman.
Promotions into the newly authorized grades will be phased over three years, with initial promotions being limited to pay grade E-8 for personnel selected to occupy First Sergeant
and Sergeant Major positions. The phasing of subsequent promotions into other key leadership and critical specialist positions will be initiated during Fiscal Year 1961.
The titles for non-commissioned officers of these two grades are the same for both the Active and Reserve Components of the Army. An E-8 will be known as a Master Sergeant or First Sergeant, and an E-9 will be known as a Sergeant Major.
Initial quotas for 871 Army National Guardsmen and 880 Army Reservis~s for promotion to E-8 have been authorized commencing June 1.
With the institution of the two new top grades, changes in insignia and titles among some of the lower grades of non-commissioned officers of the Reserve Components have also become necessary. The present title of Master Sergeant for enlisted grade E-7.will be changed to Platoon Sergeant or Sergeant First Class, according to assignment. Enlisted Grade E-6, now carrying the title of Sergeant First Class, will be known as Staff Sergeant. In the enlisted grade E-5, Sergeant, the grade insignia will no longer include an arc below the chevrons but it will bring back the old "Buck Sergeant" insignia traditional to the Army.
Ga. Strength High, U.S. Low
Army National Guard strength in Georgia climbed up to 8,999 as of 31 March 59, exceeding the authorized 8,886. However, nationwide the total dipped to 388,188 almost 12,000 below the assigned 400,000 goal to be reached by 30 June 59.
At the recent conferences of Adjutants General in Washington, the AG's blamed the low figure on the DA's limitation of spaces for sixmonth trainees. The AG Association said the strength could have been maintained at the 400,000 figure directed by Congress if Defense had programmed and funded the full 55, 000 trainees equitably throughout the entire fiscal year.
The association adopted a resolution urging Congress to authorize 55, 000 more trainees for the Guard in FY 60. The administration budgeted for only 28,000 for next year.
The AG's also passed resolutions which would-
Provide perdiem for reserve officers attending service schools Permit NG civilian employees to attend service schools in military status
* Urge Post Office Department to
grant paid military leave to Guardsmen at camp
* Establish a separate competition
quota for West Point for Guardsmen
160th Troops Locate
Lost Boy and Uncle
After an all-night search through swampy Monroe County terrain, a seven-year-old boy and his uncle were found, scratched and exhausted by Georgia Guardsmen of the 160th Armor Group.
Throughout the rainy night of May 22-23, 24 Guardsmen, led by ColoWesley D. Willingham, tracked through thickly wooded areas where James and Trick Black of Griffin were last seen.
Having been notified by Brigadier General Homer Flynn that a young boy and his uncle were lost, Colonel Willingham assembled his men at the Forsyth armory at 2000 hours. At 2020 hours 22 enlisted men and 2 officers arrived at the search area where one EM was already on the scene.
The search continued until approximately 1130hours, May 23, when the persons sought were located only three miles from where they were last seen. They were found by a search party of Guardsmen consisting of 1st Sgt Johnnie Richardson, Co B, 16lst Tank Bn; M/Sgt L. A. Piland, Co B, 16lst Tank Bn; and Sp3 Olin Trammell, Hq Co, 160th Armor Group.
Called in to help in the search by Colonel Willingham, 1st Lt. James C. Bailey, 48th Armd Sig Co, arrived by helicopter shortly after the victims were found. A Civil Defense team, also rushed to the scene but arrived only minutes after recovery of the lost persons.
Army Changes Name
Of Summer Uniforms
Washington (AFPS)-Summer semi-dress uniforms for officers and troops-long labeled "Tropical Worsteds"-will be known as "Army Tans" in the future.
The Army said the change corrects a misnomer of the summer uniform since most warm-weather materials no lon~Ser are made of wool but are a blend of synthetic and natural fibers.
Other uniforms for soldiers have been renamed to closer identify the military garb with the Army, such as Armv Green, Army Blue and Army White.
4
MAY, JUNE 1959
Spruced up for thousands of spectators and tens of thousands watch in g television screens were these two color guards of the Georgi a National Guard participating in a unified massing of colors at Lockheed's and Dobbins AFB 's Armed Forces Day ceremonies. Shown on the Lockheed ramp just prior to passing in revi ew are, left to right. M/ Sgt Young T. Galloway, SFC
Newman W. Robinson, AFC Lee G. Williams and M/ Sgt John H. Edge, all of Combat Command C; Sp3 Wayne L . Hulgan, M/ Sgt Joseph A. Sills, SFC William G. Bridewell and Pfc Joseph R. Collins, all of H/ S Co, 122nd Armd lnf Bn. The massing of colors was the climax of a five-hour telecast of the Armd Forces
Day Open House and Air Show.
Valdosta Guardsmen of Co A, 171 st Armored Infantry Battalion, wi ll receive this handsome trophy for having made the highest score in the Third Army area in the National Guard Association Trophy competition. The riflemen also won the National Guard (State} Trophy for coming out on top of other units in the State. The Valdostans scored an impressive 95 .30% in the rifle com-
petition.
MAY, JUNE 1959
A team of Lockheed Aircraft Company's radiological experts studies a Georgia National Guard M-48 tank at the Atlanta National Guard Reservation on Confederate Avenue May 27th to determine the radiation shielding necessary to protect the crew from a nuclear explosion. Working under an Army contract from the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the scientists are part of Lockheed's Nuclear Support Group recently engaged in a similar radiation study at Dawsonville, where Lockheed conducts research on nuclear aircraft. Dr. J. S. Rosen, standing beside the tank, supervises the team. Around the turret are, 1-r, Ray
Cushey, William D. Ritchie and Charles Hill .
5
THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-~
Army Guard Reorganization July 1st Strength of State Force lby 287
Reorganization of the Georgia Army National Guard - ordered by the De-
Headquarters of the Guard's 108th
partment of Defense as part of a nationwide plan to gear Guard components Artillery Brigade remains in Winder
for atomic warfare- will become effective July 1, 1959.
with battalion headquarter s of sub-
Maj. Gen. George J. Hearn, The Adjutant General of Georgia, announced ordinate units remaining in Augusta,
the National Guard Bureau's acceptance of Georgia's reorganization plan Statesboro and Elberton. Ho wever,
after consultation with National Guard officials in Washington, D. C., June
they have been redesignated as fol-
lOth.
lows: 1st Gun Battalion, with bat-
Reorganization, redesignation and
Brunswick will be headquarters teries in Augusta, Thomson and
conversion of the presently author- for the 110th Combat Area Signal Sparta; 2nd Gun Battalion, with bat-
ized 8,886-man Georgia Army Na- Battalion with three companies in teries in Statesboro, Swainsboro,
tional Guard will -
Savannah. These signal companies Lyons and Reidsville; 4th Gun Bat
Give the State greater Guard replace division artillery units in talion, with batteries in Elberton
strength than presently authorized
Savannah which are consolidated and Hartwell and Toccoa.
'
Provide sufficient organizations converted.
to retain troops in all of Georgia's
Savannah will have the 1st How-
Headquarters of the 3rd Automatic Weapons Bn will be in Milledgeville
66 National Guard communities
itzer Battalion, 118th Artillery, with
Authorize a signal depot, three one battery in Springfield, Headquar-
with batteries located in Monro e, Forsyth, Eatonton and Thomaston.
signal battalions and an additional ters of the 2nd Howitzer Battalion, antiaircraft battalion to replace ele- 118th Artillery, will be located in
The three gun battalions and AW battalion are part of the 214th Artillery.
ments of the 160th Armor Group which Waycross with batteries in Jesup,
were eliminated
Baxley and Glenville. Both Howitzer
The 1st and 2nd Gun Battalions are equipped with 90mm antiaircraft
Authorize a self-propelled Honest battalions are armed with the lOSmm guns, the 4th with 75mm Sky swe epers .
John Rocket Battery, the first mis- self-propelled Howitzer.
The newly authorized 3rd Automatic
sile unit assigned to the Georgia
Headquarters and Headquarters Weapons Battalion will be armed
Guard
Battery of the 48th Armored Division with the M42, a twin 40mm full track-
TheHonestJohn rocket-a surface Artillery will remain in Savannah. ed self-propelled gun.
to surface missile - will become the An additional organization to be lo-
The 160th Armor Group headquar-
major tactical weapon of Atlanta's cated in Savannah will be the 248th ters of Forsyth will be redesignated
1st Rocket/ Howitzer Battalion, 179th Transportation Detachment (Aircraft Headquarters, Combat Command C ,
Artillery. The rocket has a range of Maintenance),
48th Armored Division.
15 miles and is capable of deliver-
ing atomic warheads.
Other newly assigned units in the
Atlanta area are the 102nd Signal
Depot and Headquarters and Company
A of the 248th Signal Battalion. Com-
pany B of the 248th will be located
in Covington.
Washington (Ga.) will be headquar-
ters of the lllth Signal Battalion
with companies located in Augusta
and Waynesboro. A heavily manned
company of the 111th will be split
between Sandersville and Louisville.
Sandersville will have Co A, less
Joint Operation Center and Carrier
Platoons to be in Louisville. Wash-
ington's 216th RCAT (Radio Con-
trolled Aerial Target) Detachment
has been redesignated the 5th Air
Defense Target Detachment, 214th
Artillery,
GENERAL HEARN OUTLINES PLAN TO SENIOR OFFICERS APRIL 13TH
6
MAY, JUNE 19 59
~ublin' J60<h TMk Baalion ha. been redesignated the lst Armored Rifle Battalion, 12lst Infantry, with companies in Eastman, Fitzgerald, Douglas and Tifton. Albany's 12lst Armored Infantry Battalion has been changed to the 2nd Armored Rifle Battalion, 12lst Infantry, with companies in Valdosta, Bainbridge and Quitman. Elements of the 48th Armored Division were redesignated and in some instancies relocated. Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the division remains in Macon as does Combat Command B. Split between Georgia and Florida are the newly authorized 548th Administration Company and the 148th Aviation Company. Both Georgia portions are located in Macon. Macon's 162nd Tank Battalion has been redesignated the 3rd Medium Tank Battalion, 108th Armor, with companies in Perry, Hawkinsville and Mon tezuma. The 560th Engineer Battalion of the armored division with headquarters in Columbus retained its designation, but Company C, formerly assigned to Reidsville, has been formed in LaGrange, a former site of a reconnaissance company. The 48th Reconnaissance Battalion has. been redesignated the 1st
THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN
LT. COL D. E. MEES, LT. COL. J. M. REEVES, BRIG. GEN. C. F. CAMP EXPLAIN REORGANIZATION PLAN TO STAFF ASSISTANTS JUNE 1ST
Reconnaissance Squadron, 108th Armor, with headquarters in Newnan. Troops, as the subordinate units are called, will be located in Jackson, Douglasville, Griffin and Marietta.
Griffin will also retain the 117th Surgical Hospital unit.
The 163rd Tank Battalion with headquarters in Calhoun is redesignated the 2nd Medium Tank Battalion, 108th Armor. Companies will remain in Rome, Cedartown, Canton and Dalton.
Americus' 190th Tank Battalion has been redesignated the 4th Medi-
urn Tank Battalion, 108th Armor, with units in Dawson, Thomasville, Cordele and Moultrie. The tank battalions are equipped with M-48 Patton tanks.
The 878th Engineer Battalion (Heavy Construction) continues to have its headquarters in Atlanta. Other companies of the 878th are in Lawrenceville, Lavonia and Gainesville.
Hinesville will convert its battery of the lOlst AAA Battalion to the 406th Ordnance Company (General Support), a newly authorized unit.
MAY, JUNE 1959
7
THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN------------------------------------------------------------------
48th Signalmen Pulverize Catoosa Targets May 2-3
Giving orders to targetmen in the pit, M/ Sgt Wm M. Jenkins observes the firing with 1/ Lt Wm H. Cathcart, who directs
Guardsmen on the firing line.
Checking scores to see who has quali-
fied, First Sergeant Robert L. Hardegree
sits on cases of ammunition, obi ivious of the photographer.
Capt. Samuel DeLoach, 48th Armd Sig Co Commander, supervises t he fi ring operation by giving instructions to Sp3
Jerry Huff.
Having loaded clips of Carbine ammo, Sp2 Ralph Cannon, SFC Wm H. Cheek and Sgt. Billy W. Beaver wait for the next wave
of Guardsmen to fire.
Concentrating on the elusive bull's eye, this rifleman and coach combine to puncture the distant target from the prone po sition.
Photos by CWO F. G. Shelnutt
Old Glory is brought down in retreat ceremonies at Catoosa, bringing to a close the day's firing exercises ot the North Georgia rifle range.
8
Volleys of Carbine fire echoed from the Catoosa Range May 16th, when this Iine of 48th Armored Division signalmen
squeezed off their shots.
MAY, JUNE 1959
THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN
As two Notional Guard helicopters dance overhead, a NG float cruises by a stature of a Confederate Soldier, linking the past with the present at Monroe County's Armed Forces and Industrial Day Parade in Forsyth in May. Featuring twa jeeps and Miss Iris Darden, attractive daughter af Major George Darden, the float was entered in the parade by the 160th Armor Group, located in Forsyth. In addition the 160th placed o display in the HighSchool gymnasium where other exhibits portraying Monroe County's
progress were set up.
Aerial Surveillance
Aids "Safetython"
On Memorial Day
A "Weekend Safetython" - an effort to cut down highway deaths in Georgia over the Memorial Day weekend - saw the National Guard and the State Patrol join forces once again May 29-31.
Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft of the Army National Guard assisted in patrolling the heavily travelled Georgia highways. State Patrolmen, including Department of Public Safety Director William Trotter, were flown over the congested traffic in order to direct law enforcement activities.
Participating in the aerial reconnaissance around Atlanta were Lt. Col. Jessie M. Reeves, Major Jack
L. Conrad, Capt. James H. Strickland
and Captain Robert H. Sprayberry. Other volunteer pilots flew missions in the Macon and Savannah areas.
Although 10 lives were lost over the weekend, safety officials agreed that the almost continous downpour of rain contributed to the high fatality rate which may have been even higher had not the "Safetython" campaign been conducted.
Guardsmen To Get
'Minuteman' Cards
"Minuteman" post cards - one million of them - are on distribution to Guardsmen throughout the States and Puerto Rico. Roughly figuring, each Guardsmen should get two if he has not already received them.
On the reverse side of the card is a message which explains the traditional ties between the Colonial Militia and the Army and Air National Guard of today.
The card depicts the "Minuteman" statue at Concord, Mass., and should serve to remind all who see it that the military heritage of United States began with colonial militiamen, presently known as National Guardsmen.
Produced by the National Guard Bureau, the cards are similar to the "Sleep Well" cards distributed during February. The Bureau termed the saturation mail campaign with the "Sleep Well" cards a "tremendous success.''
Major General Edgar C. Erickson, retiring Chief, NGB, suggested that Guardsmen mail the cards during the summer training period "to saturate your entire State with the cards in a short period of time."
MAY, JUNE 1959
General Erickson
Retires as Chief
Major General Edgar C. Erickson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, retired on May 31 after more than 45 years service as a National Guardsman.
A combat soldier in two world wars, with active duty on the Mexican Border in 1916 and during the Korean War, General Erickson completed six years as chief of the Guard Bureau when he retired. During World War II, he served in combat with the Chinese Army, receiving the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal for his actions. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, General Erickson was formerly Adjutant General of the Common wealth of Massachusetts.
Formal retirement ceremonies included a military review in his honor at Fort Myer on May 29, followed by a reception at the Fort Myer Officer's Club given by Secretary of the Army Wilber M. Brucker.
General Erickson has been responsible to the Secretary of the Army for administration of the 390,000 Army National Guard and to the Secretary of the Air Force for the 70, 000 man Air National Guard.
The National Guard Bureau was designated a joint agency of the Army and Air Force in the Department of Defense reorganization act passed last year. National Guard forces, including ground and air defense units on 24-hour alert, are now at the highest state of combat readiness in the peacetime history of the Guard, which dates back to 1636.
General Erickson's successor has not been designated.
The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among officers of the National Guard who have been recommended by their respective Governors, have had at least ten years of commissioned service in the active National Guard, and are in the grade of colonel or above.
9
GATE CITY GUAltDSMEH CELEBltATE
Gate City Guardsmen of Atlanta, whose ancestry goes bock to the early militia organizations of Georgia's Capitol City, reunited on the evening of May 2nd at the Atlanta General Depot Officers' Club at on informal dinner and donee. Commandant of the historic organization, which is presently mode up of members of the 179th Armd FA Bn and Atlanta units of the 122nd Armd lnf Bn, is Chief Warrant Officer Emile H. Shurr, veteran of many years with the 179th. Commandant and Mrs. Shurr ore shown in the top photo on the right . With them at the head table is Commandant and Mrs. Curtiss M. Bryant of the Old Guard Battalion of the Gate City Guard. In the photo at right, Captain Fred Forster calls the signals for this huddle consisting of, 1-r, Captain and Mrs. Hermon Gist, Lieutenant and Mrs . Jimmy Cornett, and Mrs. Forster. Captain Gist commands Co A, 122nd AlB, Lieutenant Cornett commands the 122nd's Medical Detach ment and Captain Forster is Chief of the 48th Armd Div Mili
tory poI ice.
Two Travis Airmen Commended For Top Scores at Finance School
Two airmen from Travis Field's Air Technician Detachment have received letters of commendation after having completed a Finance and Accounting course at Hunt.er Air Force Base. The airmen who excelled in the course are S/ Sgt Guerry H. Hagins and S/ Sgt Charles L. Miller, both accounting special ists. The course lasted two and one-half months with daily two-hour classroom sessions. The letter of commendation from the Chief, Financial Services Division, read in part "It should be of interest to you to know that each of the above sergeants consistently received high scores on phase tests. Moreover, they came out No. 1 and No. 2 on the totem pole for the final test. Both airmen contributed considerably to the success of the course and it was a pleasure to have them with us."
Sergeant Hagins is a graduate of Savannah High School and completed a two-year course in business ad ministration at Armstrong College. He has been a member of the Geor gia Air National Guard since July 7, 1950, and served with the 116th Fighter Bomber Wing in Japan dur ing the Korean conflict. He has been employed as an Air Technician since December, 195 3.
Sergeant Miller is a graduate of Commercial High School and has completed a one year course in business administration at Armstrong College. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and enlisted in the Georgia Air National Guard on March 19, 1955. Sergeant Miller has been employed as an Air Technician since March, 1955.
Sergeants Miller and Hagins are assigned to the 165th Fighter Group (Air Defense), at Travis Field.
10
First Recruit: "What are you doing with your socks on wrongside-out?"
Second Recruit: "My feet were so hot I decided to turn the hose on them ."
MAY, JU N E 1959
--------------~------------------------------~-------------------THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN
Two Regular Army Advisors to the Georgia National Guard who have distinguished themselves in their military service have received Commendation Ribbons from Col. Maurice P. Shaver, the Georgia Guard's Senior Army Advisor. Master Sergeant Raymond L. Stansbury, former Chief Administrative Supervisor, Supervisor, is shown at left receiving his commendation certi ficate Apri I 30th. Cited for demonstrating "great proficiency in administrative procedures" and "initiative in solving the many and various problems which arose," Sergeant Stansbury also
received a bonus -an honorable discharge after 31 years serv ice. At right, a new arrival in the Senior Advisor's office,M/ Sgt Howard R. Harris, Jr., receives his commendation medal from Col. Shaver in April for his "exceptional meritorious service as Chief Clerk, Corps Engineer Section, Fort Bragg, N.C." During this duty, from 9 Jan 56 to 3 April 59, M/ Sgt Harris displayed "unfailing devotion to duty" and "professional knowledge" which led to his being decorated upon arrival for service with
the Georgia Guard.
Savannah Airmen Combat ''DON'T KNOW-ISM''
"Air Guardsmen Combat DON'T
KNOW-ISM" is the title of an article in the May edition of The Air Reserv ist which featured tactics and accom plishments of Savannah's excellent Community Relations Program.
Citing the success of the "grass roots" principle of Savannah's public relations activities, the story included the following remarks:
"When a community understands and appreciates the importance of its Guard unit, good will is a natural product. And demonstrations of good will increase unit pride. When unit pride increases, membership becomes increasingly attractive to high cali her men. These men increase the capability of the unit, gaining for it even greater respect in the commu nity. And so the circle.
"The City of Savannah and the Georgia Air National Guard (165th Fighter Group) score high as a prime
MAY, JUNE 1959
example of this "grass roots" type relations.
"The basic philosophy practiced by the 165th is that it is part of Savannah. Its personnel are Savannahians who live, work and play an im portant part in community affairs... Since they are part and parcel of the city, they are interested in community service projects such as the United Community Appeal, Blood Bank drives, Boy Scouts, School Boy Patrols and those things which tend to better the community as a whole."
Examples were cited in which the city loaned the 165th a sweeper to clean the ramp when the ANG sweeper didn't work. And the Guard returned the favor by arranging to take city officials to Mississippi to study a silt control program.
Colonel William H. Kelly, Georgia ANG Base Detachment Commander at Travis Field, spearheads the com
COLONEL WILLIAM H. KELLY Cited for Philanthropy
munity relations program. Col. Kelly, who commands the 116th Fighter Interceptor Wing's Maintenance & Supply Group, was one of four Savannah ians winning Outstanding Citizens Awards in May.
For his efforts in behalf of a new nursing home for the aged and indigent, Colonel Kelly was given the Robert W. Groves Award for outstanding contributions in the field of phi lanthropy.
11
THE GEORGIA GUARDSMAN --------------------------------~
PRIVATE BYRON L. DOBBS Honor Graduate
Canton Guardsman
Is Commended as
Honor Graduate
Guardsman Byron L. Dobbs has returned to his Canton organization after six months of active duty during which he became the honor graduate of the Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Specialist School Command.
After receiving his basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., Private Dobbs began his administrative training at Fort Chaffee. Graduating from the class March 27, he was given a sterling silver identification bracelet and was assigned on-the-job training with Hq & Hq Btry, Artillery Training Command.
A commendation accompanying the award was signed by Major General W. C. Bullock, Commanding General of the Fort Chaffee installation. It read in part "In all phases of human activity there are unfilled places for skilled personnel. Your attainment of this position of honor in a class devoted to the development of skill in a specialized field, proves your potentialities for growth and service therein. This command is proud of its part in your education. I extend my personal good wishes for continued success in your career, both military and civilian."
Private Dobbs is a member of Co C, 163rd Tank Bn, located in Canton. He returned to his home in Woodstock May 15th.
TENNESSEE CITES THOMASTON AST FOR BIVOUAC AID
The State of Tennessee has a-
warded a Commendation Ribbon to a
Georgia National Guardsman from
Thomaston.
Chief Warrant Officer Andrew F.
Eidson Jr., Administrative Assistant
for Co B, 162nd Tank Bn, received
the award on behalf of the Governor
and Adj1,1tant General of Tennessee
for his "outstanding service to the
Tennessee National Guard."
CWO Eidson was presented the
decoration when three officers of
the 30th Armored Division went to
Thomaston recently to plan their
annual bivouac there June 27th. CWO
Eidson was cited for serving some
1,200 Guardsmen from West Tennes-
see as liaison officer in making ar-
rangements with the City of Thomas-
ton for the stop-over of 30th Armored
Division troops as they go to and
from summer training exercises at
Fort Stewart each year..
The Thomaston Guardsman was
cited for securing the necessary biv-
ouac sites and supplies for convoys
moving through his area. "His co-
operation and ability reflects great
credit upon him seIf, his unit and the
the National Guard."
The Tennesseeans are usually ac-
commodated at the Thomaston High
School grounds where they are able
to park their 300 vehicles. CWO
Eidson says the vehicles gulp ap-
proximately 20,000 gallons of local
gasoline on both trips. City officials
also grant the Guardsmen access to
the high school gymnasium, but the
majority sleep in their trucks or on
the ground.
.
CWO Eidson, who has been with
Co B as AST since April of 1948,
also arranges for food supplies for
the tired and hungry Guardsmen. He
is usually assisted by an advance
detachment a few days prior to the
main body's arrival in Thomaston.
The Tennesseeans are scheduled to
come back through the area July lO-
ll.
WING PRINTS SENTINEL
The Citizen Sentinel has emerged from the ramparts of the I 16th Fighter Interceptor Wing as a newsy publica. tion spotlighting the activities of Georgia Air National Guardsmen at Dobbins Air Force Base.
Edited by Captain Claude Howard Wing Information Services Officer' the Sentinel is produced on weekend drills and is ready for distribution before dismissal Sunday afternoons.
Assisting Capt. Howard are A/3C Fritz Van Winkle and A/B Roscoe Dean, Jr. Help in making the plates comes from the Wing Photo Lab, and the printing is done on a small multilith press.
Heretofore the Sentinel has come out intermittently, but Capt. Howard says the publication should come out regularly in the future. Editions have appeared in April and May of this year, and plans call for more editions to come off the press during the July training at Travis Field.
The Sentinel contains photographs as well as such features as "Personality of the Month," Want Ads, news briefs from the squadrons and other stories of Wing-wide interest.
By a Convict, 25 Years of Age, in Joliet Prison, Illinois.
The name of each saloon is Bar, The fittest of its names by far A bar to heaven, a door to hell; Whoever named it, named it well.
A bar to manliness and wealth, A door to want and broken health. A bar to honor, pride and fame. A door to grief, sin and shame.
A bar to hopes, a bar to prayer, A door to darkness and despair. A bar to honored, useful life, A door to brawling, senseless strife.
A bar to all that's true and brave, A door to every drunkard's grave. A bar to joys that home imparts, A door to tears and aching hearts.
A bar to heaven, a door to hell; Whoever named it, named it well.
from Sound-Off, April, 1959
12
MAY, JUNE 1959
The curves in this photo belong to the State Deportm~nt of Public Safety and Miss Johnsie Dunlop. Johnsie works for the Ge orgia Bureau of Investigation which joined forces with the State Patrol and the Georgia Notional Guard the weekend of May 29-31 to patrol the high ways and skyways in on effort to reduce highway accidents. All traffic would hove stopped for
th is set of curves, and a traffic jam de luxe would hove developed hod Johnsie appeared on the side of the rood as you view her here. A toll, 5-ft. 11-in. beauty with block hair and green eyes, Johnsie measures 37Yl-25-37}'2. As you might hove guessed, she likes swimming. Johnsie also ploys the piano. Guardsmen with problems should contact the GBI , Agree?
NATIONAL .... .
GUARD : (-wj .
DEFENDS :. ~ .:
.... AME~lCA '
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Ac 1ui3itions Division The University of Georgia Libraries The University of Geor gia Athens, Georgia