nan

One

was assigned to command the Thirty-first (Dixie) Division, composed of National Guard Troops from the States of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. He joined the division at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, on August 25. What his thoughts may have been as he gathered up the threads of command and began to get the "feel" of his regiments and battalions, is a secret locked in his own memory. may justifiably suppose, however, that he was mentally preparing himself for the sacred duties of a battle commander. His professional qualifications for those duties were taken for granted, else he would not have been appointed to the position. If he had dreams of leading his division to ultimate victory, such dreams were natural and common to every commander of troops since the dawn of history.

Fate, or circumstance, however, was to intervene at an unexpected moment and place him in an entirely different role. Shortly after taking command of the Thirty-first Division, he was sent to France, in keeping with routine custom for division commanders, in order that he might acquaint himself with conditions in the theater of operations by observing the conduct of troops already there. It was while he was abroad on this mission that he came under the eye of the Commander-in-Chief. General Pershing, at the moment, happened to be seeking earnestly for a new permanent commander of the Services of Supply, or SOS, then called the Line of Communications. General Kernan, an officer of outstanding achievement, seemed to possess the abilities requisite for the important position of supervising the supplies and equipment of our Army in France. Consequently, General Pershing requested and received permission to retain the visiting division commander overseas. Thus General Kernan, without more ado, ceased to be a

RECRUITING NEWS

division commander, and, on November 28, 1917, assumed the more far-reaching role of commanding general, Line of Communications of the AEF.

General Kernan was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 19, 1859, the son of John A. and Elizabeth C. Kernan. Before reaching his eighteenth birthday, he was enrolled as a cadet at the U. S. Military Academy, West Point, on September 1, 1877. He was graduated on June 11, 1881, commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry, and assigned to the Twenty-first Regiment, then on frontier duty at Vancouver Barracks, Washington.

He remained in the Northwest until September 1, 1885, serving, besides at Vancouver Barracks, at Fort Klamath, Oregon; at Fort Sidney, Nebraska, and on scouting duty. His next assignment was as professor of military science and tactics at the East Florida Seminary, Gainesville, Florida.

Lieutenant Kernan's professorial duties with a year out for more frontier service-continued until September 1, 1891, but not at the same place. After a year at the Florida institution, he was transferred to the Thatcher Institute, Shreveport, Louisiana, where he remained until July 29, 1887. He was then ordered back to Fort Sidney, Nebraska, following a short leave of absence, and served with his regiment at that post, on frontier duty, until August 1888. Evidently he had made a reputation as an instructor while in Florida and Louisiana, for he was transferred from Nebraska to West Point, New York, where he became assistant professor of history and law, at the U. S. Military Academy, on which duty he continued until September 1891. During this period he was promoted to first lieutenant, September 28, 1889, and continued as a member of the Twenty-first Infantry.

From West Point he was ordered to Fort Randall, South Dakota, where he rejoined his regiment. He served with the command until April 1892, when he was detailed as judge advocate, Department of Dakota. After a year in that position, he was detailed in the same capacity with the Department of Texas. That post he filled until June 1896, when he was ordered back to his regiment for duty. The command had, in the meantime, been transferred to the East, and was stationed at Plattsburg Barracks, New York. Lieutenant Kernan served with his regiment until shortly before the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in the spring of 1898. On March 10 he was detailed on temporary recruiting duty in Brooklyn, New York, where he remained until May 25. During this interval he was promoted to captain, April 26, 1898, and was transferred to the Second Infantry, which he did not join for more than a year.

He had been detailed as acting assistant adjutant general on the staff of Major General Arthur MacArthur, and sailed for the Philippines in that capacity with the first Philippine Expedition, June 27, 1898. Serving with the First Brigade at the capture of Manila on August 13, 1898, he rendered conspicuous service that day and was later awarded the Silver Star Citation "for gallantry in action against Spanish forces at Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands..."

Captain Kernan returned to the United States in November 1898, availed himself of a leave of absence until January 28 of the following year, and was then detailed in the Office of the Judge Advocate General, Washington, D. C.. for temporary duty. He continued on that duty until February 15, 1899, when he was assigned as judge advocate, Department of Santa Clara, Cuba. He served in that capacity until July 13, 1899, when he joined his regiment, the Second Infantry, at Rowell Barracks, Cuba. In October of the same year he was appointed regimental adjutant.

In July 1900 he returned to the United States, and on September 1 of the same year he sailed with his regiment for the Philippines. Upon arrival he was detailed as aide to his former chief, General MacArthur. He continued in that post until June 1903, serving with the general at Manila until July 1901, at Headquarters, Department of the Colorado, Denver, until March 1902, and at Headquarters, Department of California, San Francisco, until June 1903.

Finally relieved as aide, Captain Kernan joined his regiment, still the Second Infantry, at Fort Logan, Colorado, in June 1903, and served with it there until April 1904. In the meantime, however, on January 20, 1904, he was

promoted to major and assigned to the Twenty-sixth Infantry. He joined his new command at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he served with it until July 15, 1905. On July 8, 1905, he was transferred to the Twenty-fifth Infantry, one of the two Negro Infantry regiments in the Regular Army at that time.

He did not serve with the Twenty-fifth then, however, for on June 6, 1905, he had been detailed a member of the General Staff Corps and served as such until June 6, 1909. Almost the entire four years were spent in Washington, D. C., except the period October 13, 1906, to (Continued on Page Eighteen)

T

THE stalwart heart of the American soldier at Valley Forge still beats within the breast of the Regular Army man, but there are few points of similarity between the Christmas endured by the man encamped with General Washington and the Yuletide festivities enjoyed by the man in uniform in 1941.

Washington's troops had suffered a hard two weeks just preceding the blizzard-born dawn of December 25th, one hundred and sixtyfour years ago. The biting Pennsylvania winter had tried its best to decimate the ill-clad, under-nourished army. Bare

footed and with uni

forms in tatters, the soldiers had marched many miles over icy ridges, through freezing waters, to the spot selected for winter quarters. One four-day period of sleet, snow and bitter cold had been spent around camp fires, since, under the conditions, marching was impossible. Rations were scarce. Thin stew or greasy soup with cold army bread passed for a meal.

These hardships, combined with the earlier disappointments of defeat at

Brandywine and utter lack of success at Germantown, surely should have broken the spirits of these soldiers. Instead, when times were roughest, Washington's troops were in their best humor. More than once, with the picture blacker than words can paint it, the song and laughter of these men could be heard ringing down the frigid winds.

Arrived at Valley Forge, there was no time for rest. Trees had to be chopped for the fires. Lean-to huts had to be thrown up, if hastily, for men who, worn-out and feverish, knew no "sick call." The Commander and his officers spent the first few nights huddled close to bonfires with the enlisted men.

Christmas Day the men were still engaged in erecting huts, preparing the camp for the days to come. Rope harnesses were devised so a man could do a horse's work, hauling logs. The metallic clang of axe against wood resounded across the flatlands.

All day long the soldiers toiled,

By LAURANCE G. WOLFE

stopping only to "dine" upon flour and water cakes and a few odds and ends which remained in the larder.

At night, dog-tired men crawled into the rude shelters, dirt-banked for protection from the elements. Most of the soldiers slept on bare ground with

Christmas Dinner in an Army Mess Hall

no covers over them. There weren't enough blankets in that army of eleven thousand men to supply each man with

one.

Soldier's Christmas, 1777, was too much like all the other bleak, miserable days at Valley Forge. Not a "merry" Christmas, surely. Nor did it come within anywhere near caroling distance of the gay one Regular Army men will spend this month.

In the first place, a great many men in today's Army will be able to spend their holiday with families, loved ones and friends. Quite a few will be the guests of hospitable folks in nearby towns. Furloughs are generally granted freely over the holiday period, the maximum number allowed by regulations being given in each organization, provided the service of so many men can be spared.

For those members of the Army who spend Christmas Day on the post this year, a grand time is in store.

No bugle interrupts the soldier's

sleep. Reveille and all other formations are dispensed with for twenty-four hours. A handful of men takes care of police and guard duties.

It is the custom in Army messes to have as guests the families and friends of the members of the company or battery. Here they have a chance to meet and chat with their soldier's friends and in many cases impromptu entertainment is pre

mixed pickles

sented by soldier talent at the conclusion of the dinner. Where there is no glee club, a spontaneously formed group is very likely ready to lift its soldier voices in Christmas song for the benefit of the guests. The four - star event of the day, in the Army as in homes the country over, is Christmas dinnner. What a feast that is! Convincing proof, indeed, that the Regular Army men are well taken care of on this December holiday.

Here is a typical Army Christmas

menu.

Grapefruit cocktail; stuffed celery hearts; stuffed peppered olives; hearts of lettuce with Thousand Island dressing; sweet

Roast milk-fed turkey with oyster stuffing; Virginia sugar-cured ham; giblet gravy; candied sweet potatoes; cranberry sauce; whipped potatoes; diced shrimp salad with mayonnaise dressing; sliced fresh tomatoes with Russian dressing; early June peas; buttered asparagus tips

Parker House rolls, fresh creamery butter; assorted cheeses; brandied mince pie; New England pumpkin pie; fruit cake

Ice cream, apples, oranges, bananas, fresh grapes; assorted cakes and candies; coffee, tea, New York State cider, creamed cocoa; cigars and cigarettes.

The same kind of stalwart heart will beat beneath the blankets on Christmas night, 1941, that beat beneath a tattered tunic on Christmas night, 1777. True, these soldiers' holidays were vastly different, but the men of today are better fortified to defend this stronghold of freedom than were their earlier counterparts.

IN

N the presence of officers of various Second Corps Area organizations, an eye-catching lobby display featuring aviation cadets was formally opened recently in a famous New York City banking institution, the Seamen's Bank for Savings at 74 Wall Street, in the heart of the financial section of Manhattan.

The novel display, to be exhibited to the general public for more than a month, consists of a huge, revolving airplane tire upon which is printed the slogan, "Let's Go, U. S. A. Keep 'Em Flying!" and a revolving panel of pictures of aviation cadets in various activities of work and play.

Sergeant Joseph F. Schippert, Jr., DEML (RS), of the Southern New York Recruiting District, 39 Whitehall Street, New York City, was stationed at the display in the bank lobby daily, to answer pertinent questions regarding enrollment as an aviation cadet specifically, and queries regarding service in

the U. S. Army generally. He distributed aviation cadet pamphlets and recruiting literature to all prospective cadets and other young men interested in considering a career either in the Army Air Corps or any other branch of the military service.

"I made the approaches myself," declared Sergeant Schippert. "I've been on canvassing duty, so it came easy to me to size up likely-looking prospects. The unfortunate part of it is that I'll never be able to know how many 'sales' I made. For, though I handed out a lot of application blanks with the aviation cadet literature, we've no way of telling how many of those prospective military pilots followed through by filling out those applications and making formal application for enrollment."

That the lobby display gained considerable attention was learned by the sergeant when he clocked the total number of passersby, through one forenoon

hour, who stopped long enough at the display to be considered interested in the exhibit. He found that exactly six hundred people had paused to view the exhibit at close range.

The revolving panel of pictures of aviation cadets at work and play was illuminated by powerful white lights shot upward, through the glass-enclosed panel, from fixtures imbedded in the base of the large pedestal upon which the entire display was mounted. Lieutenant Colonel John F. Daye, recruiting officer in charge of the Southern New York Recruiting District, pushed the button to light up this revolving panel on its initial day's display. Shown with Colonel Daye in the accompanying photograph are, from reader's left to right, Captain Herbert Chase, Southern New York Recruiting District; Lieutenant Colonel Frank J. Pearson, General Staff Corps, Second Corps Area, and Major Granville B. Smith, Second Corps Area Aviation Cadet Officer.

Captain JOSEPH W. GABLE
Ordnance

"For heroism displayed in saving a small boy from drowning in the Clinton River at Pontiac, Michigan, at 1:30 p. m., January 20, 1940. On hearing that a small neighbor boy had broken through the ice on the frozen river near his home, Captain Gable immediately ran to the scene and with utter disregard of his personal safety and the zero weather prevailing, plunged into the icy water and swam to the boy, who had floated out to the center of the stream about 40 feet from shore. In spite of the swift current of the stream and having to break the ice with his arms to get closer to shore, with the boy under one arm, he was able to bring him to safety, thereby saving his life."

Captain Gable was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and entered the military service from Michigan. He is presently stationed with the 107th Ordnance Company, Special Troops, 32nd Division, U. S. National Guard, at Camp Livingston, Louisiana.

Mr. Sgt. HARLEY G. FOGLEMAN Air Corps

"For heroism displayed in assisting in the rescue of two officers and five enlisted men from a burning airplane at Muroc Bombing Field, Muroc Lake, California, May 27, 1940. Upon completion of a night bombing mission, an Army airplane, while endeavoring to land, suddenly went out of control, crashed to the ground and burst into flames, resulting in the death of all but one of the occupants. Rushing to the scene of the accident, Master Sergeant Fogleman, seeing the predicament of the imprisoned officers and enlisted men, with utter disregard of his own personal safety, and, despite the intense heat and flying debris, assisted in carrying the injured personnel from the burning wreckage. The heroism displayed by Master Sergeant Fogleman on this

occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service."

Sergeant Fogleman was born in Stanley, North Carolina, and enlisted in San Francisco, California. He is presently a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 49th Air Base Group, GHQ, AF, March Field, California.

Moral Victory

The strong California State College eleven of San Jose was held to a 6-6 tie game in a recent thrill-packed gridiron battle with the Fort Ord, California, eleven.

Corporal WALTER D. BLAKELY Air Corps

"For heroism displayed in assisting in the rescue of two officers and five enlisted men from a burning airplane at Muroc Bombing Field, Muroc Lake, California, May 27, 1940. Upon completion of a night bombing mission, an Army airplane, while endeavoring to land, suddenly went out of control, crashed to the ground and burst into flames, resulting in the death of all but one of the occupants. Rushing to the scene of the accident, Private (now Corporal) Blakely, seeing the predicament of the imprisoned officers and enlisted men, with utter disregard of his own personal safety, and, despite the intense heat and flying debris, assisted in carrying the injured personnel from the burning wreckage. The heroism displayed by Private Blakely on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service."

Corporal Blakely was born in Burns, Oregon, and enlisted from Fall Creek, Oregon. He is presently a member of the 2nd Materiel Squadron, 23rd Air Base Group (R), Ladd Field, Fairbanks, Alaska.

K. P. to Marquee

Men detailed to kitchen police for Company M, 176th Infantry, Fort Meade, Maryland, became movie actors recently when the United States Department of Agriculture utilized the company mess to film scenes for "The Farmer and the Quartermaster."