Newspaper Page Text
Page Two
ALLIGATOR
Published Every Wednesday by the Menders of the 124th Infantry,
Fort Benning. Georgia
COL. FRED A. SAFAY CAPT. JOHN G. MACFARLAN
Commanding Public Relations Officer
PFC. EDWARD J. HAMILTON Editor
Pvt. John T. Maher. Asso. Editor, Ist Battalion
Corp. Fraser E. Schaufele —Asso. Editor, 2nd Battalion
Pvt. M'arvin Moranz —Asso. Editor, 3rd Battalion
Pvt. Robert Kornhauser .....Asso. Editor, Special Units
Pvt. Leon Klempner Columnist
Pvt. Dan A. Russo Sports Editor
Pvt. Jack B. Proctor — Cartoonist
Pvt. William V . Wilson Staff Photographer
Sgt. Ralph H. Cammack Staff Photographer
Ist Lt. Frank H. Crowe Advisor
Sgt. Gaylord B. Sheller, Sgt. Thomas C. Cass, Sgt. Arthur J.
Kearns, Sgt. Henry C. Brockmeyer, Pvt. Lawrence P. Metzger, Corp.
James B. Young, Staff Sgt. Dudley W. McKay, Pfc. Robert C. Neal,
Corp. Manuel Garcia, Pfc. Reese Spivey, Corp. Charles A. Tatum,
Pvt. Morton Perlman, Pfc. Lee H. Martin, Corp. Albert J. Fell, Pvt.
Arthur T. Malley, Pfc. Leon C. Lust, Pfc. Harold J. Wade, Pfc. Jack
H. Cohen, and Pvt. Seymour Super.
The Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor, last Wednesday,
brought the air war closer to the United States than ever before.
However, submarine warfare has been a menace in the Atlantic
and attacks have been attempted, some causing considerable
damage to tankers, only 350 miles east of Fort Benning.
With enemy aircraft making a 15-minute raid on Dutch
Harbor it convinces us that it is no longer an impossible task
for the enemy to attack our mainland. This has caused a lot
of thought on the part of civilians and soldiers.
Alertness must be professionalized!
Civilians must put into practice the knowledge they have
gained from Civilian Defense Organizations. The first require
ment is to warn their Air Raid Warden of any aircraft that
can not be identified, and take no chances. The warden must
pass on the message to military authorities without delay, for
minutes could mean hours of damage. Civilians must be trained
as soldiers. They must be able to recognize the signal for air
raids. Above all, everyone must know what to do.
Regimental Guard Duty, before December 7, was only a
matter of regulations and routine in the minds of privates in
the army. Today they realize that guard duty is serious bus
iness. Every minute they must not sleep, but keep their eyes,
ears and mind wide open. Sabotage, sneaking enemy attacks
and fifth column activities have been committed. IT COULD
HAPPEN HERE.
The soldier in camp is an American. He loves Democracy
and Freedom. Each day he is trained to protect himself and his
country. Most of us here know we can do our job, a good one,
even if it cost us our life. When the job is Guard Duty—it
will be done in a professional military manner. A clear mind
focused by open eyes and open ears will prevent anything here,
as in Pearl Harbor.
This is America—the land of the free, and the home of the
brave. Let us keep it that way. Remember, Civilian Defense
Workers and Guards, you protect us while we sleep. Our life
depends upon you. Do a good job, for it’s serious business and
a great responsibility.
Former Outstanding
Sergeant Graduates
Second Lieutenant William K.
Merrill, formerly a sergeant with
Co. “A,” was commissioned on
June 2nd. Lieut. Merrill is from
Miami, Florida. He enlisted in the
National Guard in 1939. Merrill
participated in the Louisiana and
Carolina maneuvers with the 124th.
As a member of Co. “A,” he was
one of the outstanding non-coms,
entering the Officers’ Candidate
School in March. The officers and
men of the 124th extend their con
gratulations and best wishes to
Lieut. Merrill.
Three Promotions In
“M” Company Past Week
Company “M,” third battalion,
announces the following promo
tions this week: Pvt. Clice T. Yan
cey to sergeant, Pfc. Jack H. Du
pont to corporal, and Pvt. Williarii
H. Hanvey to Private first class.
CRAMER TO AIR CORPS
Company “M” has lost another
' man to the Air Corps. This time
it is Corporal Richard D. Cramer.
Corporal Cramer is now awaiting
assignment to his new post.
The 124th Infantry
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1942
COMPANY REPORTERS
GUARD DUTY
Company “B” Proud
Os Transfer Record
It is believed that Company “B”
has set a record in this regiment
for the number of men who have
gone to Officers’ Candidate School
from this organization. In all, elev
en men have entered the school to
be future officers in Uncle Sam’s
new army. Five men have left the
company to enter the Army Air
Corps. Three have gone to the In
fantry School Service Command,
and one man has transferred to the
Army Mine Planter Service. Al
though it is hard to see these men
leave the company, the officers and
men of Company “B” feel proud of
the fact that they have sent some
of their best to help make up
America’s modem army.
Three Brothers Go To
Help “Keep ’Em Flying”
Two brothers, Pfc. Otis G. Felts
and Pvt. William F. Felts, both of
Co. “A,” have transferred, to the
Army Air Corps at McDin Field,
Tampa, Florida. A third brother,
Pvt. Herman A. Felts, formerly
with Co. “A,” transferred to the
same station about 7 weeks ago.
THE 124TH INFANTRY ALLIGATOR
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The new SSO-a-month minimum pay scale passed by Congress June Bth, brings glad tidings to the
soldier. Pvt. A. Diaz, of the 124th Infantry, pictures what might happen to some of us.
Chaplain’s
Column
Chaplain Edwin C. Willson
Man should not live ‘today’ for
himself alone, but for ‘today’s’ in
fluence on the world’s tomorrow.
It is an evident truth that today’s
advantages and' satisfactions,
which men enjoy are the result of
yesterday’s sound planning; and
just as surely, today’s unhappiness
and confusion grows out of the
maze of yesterday’s planning mis
takes.
Some people live by the faulty
advice of the Persian philosopher,
“Take the cash, and let the credit
go,” and consider the immediate
day and present personal desire
alone. For a moment this may give
a certain superficial satisfaction,
but inevitable is the hour when
such living so involves the world
and the individual that his is the
situation described in Shake
speare’s “Richard the Third,” “One
who doth tread upon another’s
heels, so fast they follow.”
The soldier today is peculairly
important to the structure of to
morrow. Officers do not train their
men— indeed, they dare not train
them—for today. Before them
must ever be the hour of tomor
row, when on the field of combat,
the future’s plans are drawn. Men
in the ranks dare not live for to
day, lest on their shoulders may
rest the responsibility for tomor
row’s sorrow.
In this connection, the chaplain
sees so many cases where the lack
of foresight on the part of the
soldier today brings disappointment
tomorrow. Harmless “Crap game”
today—no furlough money tomor
row. Evening in town today—
disease and suffering tomorrow.
Hasty marriage today—an im
provished wife or a hungry child
tomorrow.—Men ought to build
the future called tomorrow as they
live today.
REPORTER TO ISSC
Corporal William H. Haire, Com
pany “M,” has transferred to the
Academic Battalion, Infantry
School Service Command. Corporal
Haire was a former reporter for
the Alligator.
* IPAV
PVT. PAT MURPHY
Headquarter’s Dance
Enjoyed By Attenders
Headquarters Company’s dance,
held Friday night, at the Women’s
Club in Phenix City, was acclaim
ed a huge success by all who at
tended. The dance got underway
about 7:45 PM and lasted until
11:00 with everyone tripping the
light fantastic to the music of the
124th Infantry orchestra. Coca
Colas were plentiful and were en
joyed at intermissions throughout
the evening.
A dancing contest was held at
10:30 and Pvt. Baran emerged the
winner, his fair partener was pre
sented with a beautiful corsage as
the prize. A girl’s organization
known as the “Victorettes” were
in attendance and must be com
plimented on their ability to make
eveiyone feel at ease and enjoy
the dancing to the utmost. From
the expressions of approval by all
of the men who attended, another
dance will be expected in the near
future.
“C” COMPANY ANNOUNCE
NEW PROMOTIONS fHIS WE*EK
Promotions this week in Com
pany “C” were announced as fol
lows: Corporal Victor V. Simone
to grade of Sergeant and Pfc.
Lewis H. McDonald to grade of
Corporal.
Wednesday, June 10, 1942
'''moments later/
Pat Murphy, Papa
Os 124th Inf. Ball
By PVT. MARVIN MORANZ
“Strike three!”
“It didn’t look good to me Ump.”
“I call them as I see ’em and
you’re out!”
It’s the booming voice of “Pat”
Murphy, umpire deluxe and old
time baseball man of the 124th In
fantry.
Pvt. Louis Edward Murphy,
Jacksonville, Florida resident, join
ed the National Guard in 1922 just
seventeen years after his arrival
in the new world. He has “been
around” since then, but he re
turned to his old unit when they
were mustered into Federal Serv
ice in November 1940.
“Pat’s” father was an instru
ment man for an engineering outfit
and he took his red-headed son with
him on many of his assignments.
Cuba, Porta Rico, Aruba, Canada,
and many other far-off countries
were home to this Irish boy before
he reached the twenty one mark.
Murphy attended the University
of Florida in 1923. He left school
to enlist in the United States
Coast Guard and from there he
went to St. Leo College, Florida,
as coach.
No “rookie” to baseball, Murphy
played pro ball for a good many
years, appearing against the
Boston “Braves,” Cleveland “In
dians” and many outstanding teams
of the major leagues.
“I’ve played many positions,”
said Murphy, “but my favorite
spot in the line-up is catcher.”
“Pat’s” record for the broad
jump is 22:10y2, not bad even to
this day. He has participated in
track, baseball, football, soccer and
boxing.
Many of the officers of the regi
ment today were privates when
Murphy first joined the Guards.
He took pride in watching the
Florida Guard develop into an
outstanding outfit.
Pvt. “Pat” Murphy is still single
because it seems he “just isn’t
able to stay put long enough.”
Promotions in , Company “A”
this week. Corporal John Zivelli to
the rank of Sergeant, Pfc. Robert
C. Covington to the rank of Corpor
al.
