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THE ARMY ALMANAC

....14 Feb 13-13 Feb 17

Scriven, George P.
Scully, James W.
Seals, Carl H.
Seaman, A. Owens
Searby, Edmund W.
Searcy, Cyrus H.
Sears, Clinton B.
Seeley, Sam F.
Seeman, Lyle E.
Seitz, John A.
Seleen, Paul M.
Shadle, Charles S.
Shaler, Charles
Shaler, Harrison
Shaw, Frederick B.
Shaw, George C.
Shearer, Alfred M.
Sheep, William L.
Shekerjian, Haig
Sheldon, Charles A.
Shelton, Cyrus Q.
Shelton, George M.
Sherburne, John H.
Sheridan, Michael V.

23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04
.24 Jun 42-31 Jan 45

18 Dec 36-31 Jul 40
.19 Mar 43-14 Sep 44
7 Jan 45-31 Jul 47
.2 Jun 08-2 Jun 08
.18 Jul 50-31 Jul 58
14 Jul 55—
30 Aug 58---

30 Jul 52-30 Sep 55
.25 May 44-31 Oct 47
.19 Jan 05-19 Jan 05
15 Sep 52-31 Aug 54
..1 Oct 18-30 Jun 33

25 Jun 29-6 Mar 30
25 Jun 50-31 Jun 51

1 Oct 40-31 Oct 45
30 Jun 42-30 Sep 46
.3 Sep 54-31 Oct 56
? -31 Aug 54
?
?

.26 Jun 18-
.26 Jun 18-

27 May 1898-16 Apr 02
.27 Feb 47-31 Jan 53
.27 Jul 42-30 Sep 44
.18 Mar 43-30 Apr 54
2 Jul 56-
5 Aug 17-

Sherman, Harry B.
Sherrill, Stephen H.
Shingler, Don G.
Shinkle, John G.
Shipton, James A.
Shockley, M. A. W.
Shugg, Roland P.
Shuler, William R.
Sibley, Alden K.
Sibley, Cleland C.
Sigerfoos, Edward
Simmons, Benjamin T.
Simmons, James S.
Simpson, Bethel W.
Simpson, John

?

1 Aug 35-28 Feb 37
23 May 42-31 May 52
.21 Mar 57-

..9 May 57
.14 Jun 53-30 Sep 54
4 Oct 18 ?

.1 Oct 18-3 Jul 22
.... 14 Mar 43-31 Oct 46

14 Feb 42-30 Nov 46 .17 Aug 03-18 Aug 03

.3 Nov 43-31 Aug 54

1 Oct 36-31 Aug 40
? -31 Aug 54

29 Apr 43-30 Sep 51
10 Aug 54-

13 Sep 52-30 Jun 54
.11 Sep 23-18 Jan 27
9 Aug 44-31 Mar 49
.8 Dec 42-31 Jul 54
..1 Oct 18- ?
..3 Mar 44
.21 Sep 16-3 Jan 18
-14 Mar 47
.23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04
1 Jan 33-31 May 38
18 Mar 05-18 Mar 05
..23 Aug 40- ?

.9 Oct 07-26 Dec 07
..18 Jun 56-

.16 Jan 45-31 Oct 46
?

1 Dec 42

.3 Aug 03-4 Aug 03 .24 Oct 08-15 May 13

Simpson, Marcus D. L. ..23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04
Sims, Leonard H.
Singleton, Asa L.
Skelton, Winfred G.
Slack, Julius E.
Sladen, Fred W., Jr.
Slaughter, Willis R.
Slavens, Thomas H.
Sliney, George W.
Slocum, LeCount H.
Smedberg, William R.
Smith, Abiel L.
Smith, Albert D. (Ret)
Smith, Alfred T.
Smith, Alfred T.
Smith, Allen
Smith, Benjamin M.
Smith, Charles S.
Smith, C. Coburn, Jr.
Smith, Edward W.
Smith, Edward W.
Smith, Frank G.
Smith, Frederick A.
Smith, Frederick H., Jr.
Smith, George R.
Smith, George S.
Smith, Jacob H.
Smith, Jared A.
Smith, Joseph
Smith, Joseph R.
28 May 44-USAF
23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04
Smith, Lotha A.
Smith, Luther S.
.8 Jan 45-USAF
Smith, Mathew C.
.2 Nov 42-31 Aug 46
Smith, Rodney
.1 Oct 18- ?
Smither, Henry C.
23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04
Snavely, Ralph A.
18 Jun 25-1 Jan 29
Sneed. Albert L. (Ret) ..15 Jun 42-27 Apr 46
....17 Nov 44-USAF
Sniffen, Culver C.
Snodgrass, John T.
......11 Sep 06-1 Jan 08
..30 Jun 57-
Snyder, Howard McC. Jr...8 Oct 58-
Snyder, Simon
Solbert, Oscar N.
Solomon, Maddrey A.
Somers, Richard H.
Sorenson, Edgar P.

12 Nov 43-USAF 16 Feb 12-15 Feb 13 .7 Jun 45-31 Jul 54 1 Jun 1900-16 Jul 02 .13 Apr 03-14 Apr 04

4 May 1898-10 May 02
..25 Jun 54-31 Jul 57
7 Nov 44- ?
.1 Oct 40-30 Jun 42
........26 Apr 43-USAF

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Starr, Rupert E.
Stayton, Tom V.
Stearley, Ralph F.
Stearns, Cuthbert P.
Steele, John C.
Steever, Edgar Z.
Steinbach, Richard
Steiner, Robert E.
Stenseth, Martinus
Stephens, John F.
Sternberg, George M.
Stewart, Gilbert H.
Stewart, Le Roy J.
Stickney, Amos
Stillwell, Frederick W.
Stilwell, Joseph W., Jr.
Stockton, Edward A.,

27 Jul 42-31 Jan 46 7 Mar 06-7 Mar 06 12 Apr 18-6 Feb 30 1 Dec 55

16 Mar 43-28 Feb 46 .11 Dec 42-31 May 50 .28 Apr 53

17 Sep 43-USAF .2 Sep 44-28 Feb 46 14 May 56

.5 Aug 12-27 Mar 13
21 Jun 56-
19 Mar 18-

?

.27 Apr 43-USAF 26 Jun 18.30 May 1893-8 Jun 02 ? ....25 Oct 40-30 Jun 42 30 May 44-30 Apr 51 ..15 Jul 17— .27 Aug 07-27 Aug 07 ? ..29 Dec 55

Jr.

10 Jul 41-30 Sep 46

Stockton, Marcellus L., Jr.

Stokes, Marcus B., Jr.
Stoughton, Tom R.
Stowell, James S.
Strahm, Victor H.
Stratton, James H.
Strickland, Auby C.
Strong, Alden G.
Strong, Paschal N.
Strong, Robert W.
Strother, Dean C.
Stuart, LaRhett L.
Styer, Henry D.
Sullivan, Charles W.
Sullivan, John B.
Sullivan, William E. R.
Summers, John E.
Summers, Owen
Suter, Charles R.
Svensson, Eric H. F.
Swartz, Charles H.
Swatland, Donald C.
Sweany, Kenneth S.
Sweet, Joseph B.
Sweet, Owen J.
Sweetzer, E. LeRoy
Sydenham, Henry R.
Symmonds, Charles J.
Taber. Alden P.
Talbot, Ralph Jr.
Talley, Benjamin B.
Tank, Charles F.
Tarrant, Legare K.
Tate, Foster J.
Tate, Ralph H.
Taylor, Asher C.
Taylor, Frank
Taylor, George A.
Taylor, James
Taylor, Robert K.
Taylor, Victor V.
Taylor, Willis R.

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.6 Aug 42-USAF .29 Sep 41-30 Sep 46 25 Jul 53-30 Jun 54 .2 Feb 43-31 Mar 50 .4 May 43-USAF 11 Mar 42-31 Jul 51 5 Aug 17-10 3 Nov 4328 Jul 5728 Aug 58.23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 12 Sep 42-30 Jun 47 5 May 05--5 May 06 19 Apr 56

.3 May 45-30 Apr 57 29 Mar 45? ..9 Nov 45-30 Nov 55 12 May 43-30 Jun 48 .4 Sep 09 4 Sep 09 25 Jul 17- ?

...3 Nov 23-31 Oct 30 ...8 Aug 58.24 Jul 56-30 Jun 57 1 Oct 40-31 Mar 46 ..26 Mar 55-30 Apr 56 6 Jul 56

26 Jun 52-30 Sep 58 2 Apr 43-31 Jul 49 17 Jan 44-31 Jul 47 21 Jan 04-22 Jan 04 .9 Apr 05-10 Apr 05 .1 Aug 44-31 Oct 46 24 Jun 42-31 Aug 48

10 Sep 43-UŠAF 14 Sep 43-22 Sep 44 31 Oct 42- ?

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Taylor, Yantis H.
Tempel, Carl W.
Tenney, Clesen H. .24 May 44-30 Nov 46
Textor, Gorden E. ....7 Jun 45-34 May 54
Thames, William M., Jr. 29 Jul 56-
Thatcher, Herbert B.....3 Jun 44
Thayer, William S. ....1 Oct 18-
Thiele, Claude M. ....7 Apr 41-30
Thomas, Amos S. ....26 Jun 40-
Thomas, Arthur

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USAF ? Sep 48 ? .22 Feb 44 USAF

Thomas, Charles E., Jr...17 Sep 43-USAF
Thomas, Earl D.
.18 Apr 07-4 Jan 11
Thomas, Samuel M. .28 Mar 45- ?
Thompson, Harry F. ..26 Apr 43-30 Jun 46
Thompson, James V. ..21 Apr 55-31 Jul 57
Thompson, John B...11 Mar 42-31 May 46
Thompson, John M. ..8 Nov 44-30 Apr 48
Thompson, John T. ..8 Aug 17-20 Dec 18
Thompson, J. Milton ..9 Aug 03-10 Aug 03
Thompson, Orlen N. ..4 Jun 45-30 Nov 46
Thompson, Paul W. ....2 Jun 45-31 Jul 46
Thompson, William J. ..17 Jun 53-
Thornton, Richard B. ..12 Sep 50-31 Jul 54
Thorp, Frank
....9 Feb 06-9 Feb 06
Thorpe, Elliott R.....19 Mar 45-30 Nov 49
Thrasher, Charles O...22 Feb 44-31 Aug 46
Throckmorton, John L. 18 May 56-
Tidball, John C. 23 Apr 04-23 Aug 03
Tiernon, John L. .....11 Aug 03-12 Aug 03
Tilford, Joseph G.....23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04
Tilton, Rollin L. ......2 Oct 40-29 Feb 48
Timberlake, Edward J., Jr.

...

28 Feb 43-USAF Timberlake, Edward W. 25 Jun 43-31 Jul 50 Timberlake, Patrick W. ..2 Nov 42-USAF Timmes, Charles J. 29 Sep 57Timothy, Patrick H. .20 Mar 45-31 Oct 46 Tindall, Richard G. ..26 Mar 47-39 Apr 52 Tingay, Lynn H. .28 Sep 51-31 May 54 Tobin, Ralph C. ......22 Jul 42? Todd, Walter E. ..18 Nov 44--USAF Tompkins, Charles H...23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 Tourtellot, George P. ..4 Feb 43Townes, Morton E. ....29 Mar 57Townsend, Edwin F. 23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 Townsend, James R. ..14 Mar 42-31 Aug 46 Townshend, Orval P. ..1 Oct 18Townsley, Clarence P. ..7 Dec 42-31 Jul 53 Tracy, Joseph P. .14 May 31-31 Oct 38 Train, William F. .1 Apr 55Travis, Robert F.

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4 May 43-USAF .8 Aug 18- ? ..30 Jul 56....6 Feb 41— ?

.1 Jan 33-31 Jul 35 .22 Jan 04-23 Jan 04

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.3 Nov 43.28 Mar 06-29 Mar 06 ?

Tuthill, Alexander M. ..5 Aug 17

26 Jan 54

Twitty, Joseph J... .22 Feb 44-31 Oct 54 Tychsen, Andrew C. ..19 Mar 45-30 Jun 53 Tyner, George P. ....1 Oct 36-30 Apr 40 Tyson, Lawrence D. ..25 Jul 17- ? Tyson, Robert M. Uhrhane, Francis F. .27 Sep 54 Underwood, Edgar H. ..15 Mar 43-30 Sep 46 Upston, John E. .4 Dec 42-USAF Upthegrove, Fay R. ....12 Sep 44-USAF Upton, LaRoy S. .8 Aug 18-1 Mar 27 Usher, George L. .3 Feb 43- ? Vachon, Joseph P. 18 Dec 41-31 Aug 46 Vanaman, Arthur N. 16 Mar 42-USAF Vanderbilt, Cornelius ..16 Jun 18- ? Vandersluis, Howard J.

? -31 Jul 54 Vanderveer, Harold C...14 Feb 42-31 Aug 49 Van Horn, Robert O....1 Dec 33-31 Aug 40 Van Horne, William M...23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 van Syckle, David L. ..27 Jul 53-30 Jun 56 Van Vliet, Robert C. ....5 Aug 17-8 Jun 18 Van Voast, James .....23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 Van Volkenburgh, Robert H.

29 Sep 41-28 Feb 50

Van Voorst, Marion Van Wagoner, Lou G. Van Wyk, Harry Vaughan, Cecil C. Vaughan, William W. Vidmer, George

.18 Jan 45-31 Dec 50 ....1 Aug 55

? -31 Aug 54 .5 Aug 17- ? ..24 Oct 45-30 Nov 46 .21 Aug 33-31 Aug 35

? -31 Aug 54 .30 Dec 56-31 Jul 57 .5 Aug 17- ? 15 Aug 57

Viele, Charles D. .21 Sep 1898-23 Jan 1900
Vincent, Clinton D. ....2 Jun 44- ?
Vincent, Thomas K. ...13 Jun 51-31 Aug 54
Vincent, Thomas M. ...23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04
Vodges, Anthony W. ..20 May 04-20 May 04
Vogel, Gustave H. .2 Jul 51-31 Aug 54
Vogel, Herbert D.
Volckmann, Russell W.
Vollrath, Edward
von Kann, Clifton F.
Voorhees, Frederick T.
Vose, William P.
Vroom, Peter D.
Wahl, George D.
Waite, Frederick G.
Waite, Sumner
Walcutt, Charles C.,

Waldron, Norman E. Walk, Arthur R. Walke, Willoughby Walker, James H.

31 Jul 55

.23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 .11 Apr 03-12 Apr 03 24 May 44-30 Jun 49 ....30 Aug 57

..8 Nov 44-30 Sep 48 Jr.

..11 Sep 42-10 Jul 44

.22 Jul 56

26 Jun 18-20 Jun 25 ..28 Jan 50-31 Aug 54 ...3 Oct 50-19 Apr 53 ....30 Dec 22-28 Jan 23 .18 Mar 43-31 Aug 46 Walker, Kenneth N. ...17 Jun 42-12 Dec 45 Walker, Meriwether L...26 Jun 18-30 Sep 33 Walker, Nelson M. . Walker, Roy N. Walker, William G. Wallace, William M. Wallington, Edward C. Wallender, Elmer F. Walmsley, Harold Walsh, Orville E. Walsh, Robert D. Walsh, Roland F. Walson, Charles M. Walton, Leo A. Wanamaker, William

17 Mar 43-31 Aug 46 .2 Oct 06-2 Oct 06 7 Mar 49-28 Feb 51 4 Sep 44-31 Dec 49 .22 Dec 57

.24 Jan 51-31 May 54 5 Aug 17- ? 14 Sep 43-31 Dec 46 .3 Jan 45-31 Aug 47 ..29 Oct 42-USAF

W.

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Warner, Leo V. Warnock, Aln D. Wash, Carlyle H. Waters, Jerome J., Water, William E. Watson, Albert, II Watson, Frank B. Weatherred, Preston Weaver, James R. N. Weaver, Theron D. Weber, John H. Weckerling, John Weddington, Leonard

.21 Mar 45-
.10 Sep 55-

.8 Aug 18-28 Feb 34 A...12 Oct 40- ? ..24 Dec 41-31 May 48 .31 Jan 46-31 Dec 52 .24 Jun 56

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Wedgwood, Edgar A.
Weed, Frank W.
Weeks, Lawrence B.
Weems, George H.
Wehle, Philip C.
Weikert, John M.
Weir, Benjamin G.
Weir, John M.
Welling, Alvin C.
Wells, Almond B.
Wells, Gordon M.
Welsh, William E.
Welsh, William W.
Wergeland, Floyd L.
Werner, Richard J.
Wessels, Henry W., Jr. .23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04
Wessels, Theodore F. ...1 Oct 50-31 May 52
Westervelt, William I...12 Apr 18-22 Apr 28
Wetzel, Emery S.
...17 Nov 44-ÚSAF
Weyher, Theodore A. ..30 Jul 54-30 Jun 57
Wharton, James E. ..15 Mar 42-12 Aug 44

3 Dec 54

.23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04

.27 Jun 57

Wheelen, James N.
Wheeler, Charles B. .5 Aug 17-3 Sep 19
Wheeler, Daniel D. .15 Aug 03-15 Feb 12
Whipple, Charles H. ..1 Jan 08-15 Feb 12
Whipple, Sherburne Jr. ..1 Aug 56-
Whipple, William
Whisner, Emons B.
Whitall, Samuel R.
White, George W.
White, William R.
Whitehead, Henry C.

.18 Jan 45-31 Jul 53 15 Jun 06-15 Jun 06 4 Jul 56

6 Sep 42--30 Sep 46 ..16 Apr 30-28 Feb 34

?

Whitelaw, John L. ....21 Mar 43-31 Jul 55
Whitney, Courtney 14 Jan 45-
Whitney, Henry H. .5 Aug 17-30 Jun 20
Whiteside, Samuel M. ..3 Jan 01-9 Jan 02
Whittaker, Frank L. ..2 Feb 43-30 Nov 46
Whittaker, Horace L. .24 Jul 42-30 Nov 46
Whittaker, Howard R. ..23 Dec 57-
Whittemore, James M. 23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04
Whitten, Lyman P.
11 Dec 42-USAF
Whitworth, Pegram ..8 Aug 18-31 Aug 35
Wicks, Roger M. .9 Nov 42-31 May 50
Wilbur, William H. ....1 Dec 42-31 Mar 47
Wilcox, Timothy E.
Wilder, Wilber E.
Wilkins, Harry E.
Wilkins, Paul C.
Wilkey, John P.
Willard, Robert A.
Willey, John P.

.26 Apr 04-26 Apr 04 .5 Aug 17-16 Aug 20

1 Oct 18-1 Nov 19 .2 May 43-31 Aug 44 .9 Sep 44- ? ....11 Jun 51-31 Jul 53 9 Sep 44-31 Aug 54 Williams, Constant ..12 Jul 04-25 May 07 Williams, Harry C...13 Jun 40-14 Dec 27 Williams, Herbert O. ..1 Oct 18-31 Aug 30 Williams, John G. 4 Feb 43-USAF

Williams, L. Kemper 7 Nov 44
Williams, Robert P. ..27 May 49-31
Williams, Roger D. ....5 Aug 17-
Williamson, Raymond E. S.
5 Aug 42-31
Williamson, William J. .5 Sep 44-
Williford, Forrest E...25 Oct 40-31
Willing, Alexander McN. 16 Jun 56-
Willis, James S. ....31
Williston, Edward B.

?

Aug 51

?

Aug 54 ? Jan 44 Oct 52-30 Sep 54

4 May 1898-15 Jul 1900 Wilson, Alexander ....30 Jan 42-31 Aug 46 Wilson, Charles I. Wilson, James K., Wilson, John H. Wilson, John M. Wilson, Russell A. Wilson, Vennard Wilson, William Wilson, William L. Wingate, George A. Winn, John S. Winn, John S., Jr. Winslow, E. Eveleth

.23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 Jr. 31 Mar 55..8 Nov 44-30 Sep 46 .1 Feb 1897-30 Apr 01 .29 Feb 44-6 Mar 44 .15 Jul 48-30 Mar 53 ? Sep 56 ?

15 Jul 17.15 Jul 52-30 ...12 Apr 18

17 Dec 17-31 Jul 22 .17 Sep 43-30 Nov 48 ..5 Aug 17- ?

.

Wint, Theodore J. .9 Jun 02-21 Mar 07 Winter, Francis A. ....1 May 18-1 Sep 22 Wirt, Davis ..23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 Wisser, John P. 16 May 13-19 Jul 16 Wolf, Paul A. .17 Dec 17-31 Dec 32 Wolfe, Henry C. 18 Sep 42-31 May 50 Wood, Edward E. .17 Sep 10-17 Sep 10 Wood, Eric F. .17 Feb 41- ? Wood, Henry C. .23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 Wood, Jack W. .21 Nov 44—ÜSAF Wood, John E. 3 Aug 42-31 Jul 49 Wood, John R. .7 Jul 55-31 Jul 56 Wood, Myron R. .25 Jun 43-29 Oct 46 Wood, Oliver E. .1 Oct 06-1 Oct 06 Wood, Palmer G. .16 Feb 06-17 Feb 06 Wood, Robert E. .15 Apr 18-1 Mar 19 Wood, Sterling A. ....26 Sep 50-31 Aug 54 Wood, William H. ...15 Apr 54-31 May 56 Wood, William T. .18 Feb 18-15 Jul 19 Woodberry, John H. 4 Jun 45-31 Aug 46 Woodbury, Murray C...29 Feb 44- ? Woodcock, Amos W. W. 11 Oct 40- ? Woodhull, Alfred A. ..23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 Woodruff, Carle A. ..10 Aug 03-11 Aug 03 Woodruff, Charles A. .27 Jul 03-28 Jul 03 Woodward, George A. ..23 Apr 04-23 Apr 04 Woodward, John E. ..8 Aug 18- ? Woodward, Samuel L. .8 Jul 04-9 Jul 04 Woodward, William R...28 Nov 55Woodward, William R. ..4 Dec 42-31 Oct 50 Wooley, George F., Jr.

?

14 Jan 45-30 Apr 49 Woolfley, Francis A. ..16 Mar 43-30 Apr 53 Woolnough, James K...17 Aug 54— Worsham, Ludson D. 12 May 43-30 Nov 48 Wright, Boykin C. ....2 May 43Wright, William H. S. ..1 Aug 58Wylie, Robert H. Wyllie, Robert E. Yancey, Thomas R. Yates, Arthur W. Yates, Donald L. Yeager, Emer Yeatman, Richard T. Yenter, Raymond A. Young, Elmer W. Young, Gordon R. .5 Jul 44-31 May 51 Young, Laurence W. ..1 Sep 41-31 Jan 44 Young, Mason J. .23 Sep 50-31 Jul 53 Young, Richard W. ....12 Apr 18- ? Youngberg, Gilbert A. 13 Jun 40-23 Aug 26 Youngblood, Norman E. 1 Nov 56Younger, James W. Zalinski, Moses G. Zierath, Frederick R. Zimmerman, Charles Zitzman, Kenneth F. Zundel, Edwin A.

......4 Dec 42-28 Feb 47 .13 Jun 40-30 Dec 30 ..31 Aug 56

.9 Jul 26-1 Aug 27 ..5 Feb 47-USAF .17 Sep 43-30 Sep 45 . .22 May 09-5 Jun 09 ..24 Oct 40- ?

18 Jul 54

16 Mar 45-31 Dec 46 19 Apr 25-23 Jan 27 .14 Feb 56

X. 15 Jul 17

.25 Jun 56

.7 Jul 44-31 Jan 53

Chapter 21

GENERAL INFORMATION

THE ARMY INFORMATION PROGRAM

The Army's information program may be thought of as having two principal ends. In part it is directed to the Army's own personnel ("troop information"). In part it serves the general public, Congress, and public agencies of all types.

TROOP INFORMATION; ITS MEANING AND NEED. One of the outstanding characteristics of the American soldier is that he wants to be told what it is all about. This is merely an intensification of a trait that penetrates our society. The normal inquisitive American is constantly looking for the answers to the national and community problems that confront him and affect his well-being. Through the medium of newspapers, radio and other organs of publicity he is used to getting answers; on the average, fairly correct and reasonable ones. This alert, constructive curiosity, which operates in his peacetime civilian life, becomes stronger when he joins the Army. Here, at a moment's notice, he may find himself in a situation where he must undergo discomfort, extreme fatigue, and physical danger. Naturally he wants to know why this is necessary. Also, assuming that it is necessary, he wants to be convinced that the authorities who demand his obedience understand their job, and that their actions and orders are based on some intelligent plan to which his own efforts and sacrifices will be a worthwhile contribution.

"Troop Information" is that aspect of military leadership which meets this demand, and thereby makes for intelligent, willing and effective service by all concerned. By the skillful use of

troop information the commander develops in the soldier an understanding of his role in the Army, and keeps him informed of events, conditions, policies, and official actions which affect him as an individual. To provide this orientation is a constant responsibility of leaders in every stage of training and combat. It requires the commander to know what information his men want or will want, and then to furnish itquickly, factually, and completely. In the absence of such factual answers from an authoritative source, the soldier is likely to accept any statement, explanation, or rumor which he happens to hear from any other source and which sounds plausible. This state of mind can destroy morale, promote disaffection, and-in extreme cases-provide a receptive atmosphere for deliberate subversion by hostile agencies. Fact, although not a complete answer to subversion, is a most powerful weapon against it.

Troop information in today's Army starts with the assumed existing foundation of moral values, patriotism, and good citizenship, which should be-and usually is provided for an American in childhood by his home, his church, and his school. It builds on this foundation; at the same time it seeks to correct, in each individual, any deficiencies in the foundation itself, and to develop his understanding of fundamental human rights and duties and of American principles and ideals.

The historical precedents for troop information span our entire military history. George Washington, in 1775, issued instructions "to impress upon

the mind of every man, from the first to the lowest, the importance of the cause, and what it is they are contending for." This was troop information. No successful American commander since that day has ignored its imperatives.

Sound troop information is especially important in a war which (1) involves grave national peril, and (2) must be fought primarily by a large "citizen army" rather than a small body of career professionals. Between 1783 and 1941 we fought only two such wars. In one, the Civil War, the questions at issue had been so long and so hotly discussed by the nation that both sides entered the conflict with fairly definite -if not always accurate-views on why it was their duty to fight. In World War I there was less preparation of public opinion; but the information and propaganda services of the Entente powers, plus American publicity sources, had pretty well convinced our people, by the spring of 1917, that we ought to come in. Nevertheless our troop information in that war had many weaknesses, which sometimes produced adverse effects on the troops.

With the approach of World War II a situation arose that had no exact precedent in our previous history. In mid1939 the Regular Army (which then included all landbased military aviation) numbered less than 190,000. Following the outbreak of the war in Europe our Administration came increasingly to believe that we must build up a powerful Army. The Presidential proclamation of a "state of limited emergency" was issued in September 1939; and in the next two years (to December 1941) the Active Army was expanded to 1,686,000 and put into intensive training. But while this was going on, it was politically necessary for the Administration to assure and reassure the nation that there would be no foreign war. Thus, a million and a half young Americans suddenly found their normal lives disrupted, and themselves subjected to a gruelling regime of physical and mental effort in an alien atmosphere, for reasons frequently beyond their comprehension.

The need for adequate troop information at such a time was dramatically

demonstrated in 1941 by the so-called "OHIO" movement-"Over the hill in October." Public uncertainty and reluctance to accept the imminent threat of war, and isolationist sentiment hostile to mobilization, were reflected in the attitude of the bewildered draftees, already receptive to criticism of anything military. In August 1941 “Life” magazine released a story on morale conditions in the Army which shocked the country. The report declared that 50 percent of the men in one division had announced that they would desert after their year's period of service was over. It concluded that "The most important single reason for the bad morale of this division appears to be national uncertainty. As far as the men can see, the Army has no goal.” (Italics added.)

The "New York Times" called on an experienced reserve officer (Hilton H. Railey) to dig out the facts. His findings, which reinforced the "Life" article, were so grave in detail and implication that the "Times" withheld them from the public and sent them to the War Department. As a result of this and other reports, General Marshall issued a directive to the War Department Bureau of Public Relations to prepare informational lectures to acquaint the soldiers with the events which had compelled America to rearm. It was the beginning of the formal Army-wide orientation course of World War II. As an organized, systematic approach to informing the troops, it had tremendous effect throughout the war in crystallizing in the minds of soldiers an understanding of the ideals for which they fought.

With the outbreak of the Korean conflict we faced again the situation of a large number of American soldiers suddenly involved in an unexpected war, the meaning and need of which many of them did not grasp. Once more the absolute necessity for a clear understanding of the "Why" was grimly illustrated. Too many of those faced with capture lacked the faith in and understanding of their American heritage which was needed to sustain them through the hardships of imprisonment. In May of 1955 the Secretary of Defense appointed a Defense Advisory Committee on Prisoners of War to examine the

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