USAAF Base, Napier Field magazine May 1942

USAAF Base, Napier Field magazine May 1942

Covers a wide variety subjects including the details of life at the base and the progress of the war in the SW Pacific.

1942-05-14

16 printed pages

This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.

MShattockGF1317240-180311-05

[front cover]
S/Sgt W.H.Hezlepiut

[page break]

The “BOOSTER” is published every Thursday by the Public Relations Office, Air Forces
Advanced Flying School, Napier Field, Dothan, Ala.

COMMANDING OFFICER
Colonel James L. Daniel. Jr.

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER and EDITOR
Lieut. John B. Dedvours

ASSISTANT
Lieut. Joseph D. Ryle

STAFF REPORTERS

Sergeant Donald Tolleson
Pvt. Phillip Callaghan
Pvt. Irvin Kaufman
Pvt. Lyman Burbank
Pvt. Thomas Mackey
Pvt. Thomas Routh
Jane Johnson

ARTISTS

S/Sgt. William Hezlep
T/4 Ralph L. Ramstad
Pfc. Nolan Didian
Pvt. Bruce Dewar
Pfc. L. Meters

Reproduction

S/Sgt. Don Parker

ORGANIZATIONAL REPORTERS

Pvt. Lee Weisman
Pvt. Henry Hedson
Pvt. Richard E. Noyes
Pvt. Edward A. Fioretti
Pvt. Martin P. Casey
Pfc. Jack Canane
Sgt. Walter Nowack
Sgt. J. Shaphren

Mary Chalmers
Sgt. Woodrow Jackson
Corp. F. Taylor
Sgt. H.B. Pou
Mr. Cameron
Private Ball
Pvt. Ben Roman
Pvt. Tony Tubacki

[page break]

[sketch]

NAPIER FIELD
BOOSTER
DOTHAN, ALA.
PUBLISHED BY THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFF.
MAY 14th.

On Saturday, the United Kingdom Cadets of Class 12-E will receive their Wings and wear them above their hearts as shining emblems of the trust and responsibility placed in them by England and the United States. We of this field, having had close contact with these men, know that that trust and responsibility has not been misplaced. Their course of training has been of necessity difficult and limited; their enforced absence from their homes in England has been exceedingly trying. But they have borne themselves with commendable courage and cheerfulness, never failing to give their best to the job at hand.

These men have won their first battle. They are soon to engage in another against our common enemy in which the stake, in a small way, is life; in a larger way, democracy. We are certain these men will do a fine job. We join in expressing our most sincere good wishes for the future, and with a warm handclasp we say “goodbye and good luck”.

James L Daniel Jr.

JAMES L. DANIEL, JR.,
Colonel, Air Corps,
Commanding.

-1-

[page break]

THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF THE COMING WEEK

CAMEL CARAVAN . . . USO DANCE

“The Camels are coming, hurray, hurray.”

That’s the tune you’ll be hearing when the Camel Caravan’s streamline bus rolls up to Napier Field’s Recreation Hall next Tuesday evening.

It will be a bus load of entertainment featuring stars of radio, stage, and screen.

It’s one of the units sponsered [sic] by the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company now touring the country giving good will performances to our men in Army Camps, Naval Stations and Marine Bases.

There will be girls, gags, giggles, and singing and dancing.

There will be free smokes for all who attend.

The price of admission????? . . . . . YOUR UNIFORM!

The Service Club of Dothan is sponsoring a dance for enlisted men tonight in in [sic] Building 35. The response to these dances has been so great that it will be necessary for those desiring to attend to obtain a pass from Lt. Dalton in the Cadet Administration Building. The Napier Field Orchestra will plan. Girls from Headland, Abbeville, Midland City and Dothan will be the guests. The committee of arrangements is comprised of Mrs. Alta B. Weaver and Mrs. Ida M. Hall.

BONDS & STAMPS

The War Department has adopted a new pay plan to make it easier for military personnel and civilian employees to invest their pay wisely and profitably.

War Savings Bonds and Stamps have been placed on an installment [sic] basis through a new “Pay Reservation” plan which encourages systematic saving for investment.

Napier Field personnel who wish to sign up for this new plan may do so at the Special Services Office in Cadet Administration. Enlisted men may authorize monthly deductions of $1.25 or any multiple of that sum. Officers may authorize deductions of $3.75 or any multiple of that sum. Subscribers may discontinue or cancel their reservation if they desire.

[boxed]
Napier Field will no longer be called the “Air Corps Advanced Flying School” but hereafter will be known as the “Army Air Forces Advanced Flying School, Napier Field, Dothan, Alabama”, according to a bulletin received May 7, 1942 from Maxwell Field.

The only use of the words “Air Corps” will be after the names of all officers assigned to duty with the Army Air Forces. Southeast Air Corps Training Centre at Maxwell Field will now be officially known as “Southeast Army Air Forces Training Centre, Maxwell Field, Alabama”.

Remember, soldiers, when you write home, it’s no longer ACAFS bu t AAFAFS.

-2-

[page break]

[image]
JAMES L. DANIEL JR.

The twin silver eagles of a full colonelcy made three-point landings on the shoulders of James L. Daniel, Jr., Command Pilor and Commanding Officer of [missing letter]apier Field on May 11, 1942. Colonel Daniel, tall and spare, with the distinguished good looks of a young face [missing letter]opped by iron-grey hair, was born in Carthersville, Missouri, on March 18, [missing number]905. The Colonel’s lady, Anita Louise, [missing letter]hares with him the pride and responsi[missing letter]ility of their two daughters and his [missing letter]ther officers.

After attending Missouri Univer[missing letter]ity, he entered the Army Air Corps as [missing word] Flying Cadet in 1924 and is a grad[missing letter]ate of the Air Corps Technical and [missing letters]ctical Schools. This leader of men [missing letter]as been stationed at Napier Field [missing letter]ince October, 1941, where he has done [missing word] superior job in building this great [missing letters]eld and its personnel.

Inordinately fond of loud spor[missing letters] shirts, Col. Daniel’s blood type is AB [missing word] the correlation should be quite clear [missing word]. He smokes “Luckies” and enjoys a coo[missing letter] beer in summer . . . His must he prefers on the classical side, and his dancin[missing letter] favors a slow, dreamy style . . . He is a[missing letter] amateur woodworker and machinist . . . Speak[missing letter] Spanish and leans toward highly seasone[missing letter] foods and barbecues . . . Great admirer o[missing letter] fine shoes and luggage . . . Reads everything in sight. including Robert Bench[missing letters]ly . . . Manifests a profound affinity fo[missing letter] cross-country hops, especially to Texas

THIS IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF PROFILES

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[drawing]
OFFICERS PAGE

Congratulations to Colonel Daniel on his new promotion. We all join in wishing you, Sir, as much succes [sic] in the future as you’ve had in the past.

A hearty welcome to the six new officers who checked into Napier Field since last the BOOSTER prattled . . . The new officers are Captain James L. Barnett, on special duty with Post Utilities; Captain George P. Dean, Special Services officer; Captain Walter W. turner, who is assigned to Materiel; 1st Lt. Gustav E. Lundquist, instructor; and 2nd Lts. Ray H. Morton and Rex E. Mitchell, who are with the Engineering Department of the Air Service Command.

Coming and Gogoins: Lt. Gallman left last Friday on 6 days leave to his home, Union, South Carolina . . . Lt. Baker and his wife returned from a visit to his home in St. Louis . . . Lt. Dalton left for a 30-day Recreation Course at Camp Meade . . . Week-end jaunts saw Daytona Beach the garden spot for a large number of the boys.

Now for our pittance of GOSSIP . . . First, we take a kind of matchmaker’s pride in reporting that Lt. Simpson finally got a date with the “sweet voice” in Air Corps Supply . . . From devious sources we learned that Lt. Garland’s recent scalp treatment was not an accident, as he claims, but a premeditated attempt to disguise himself so that he won’t be bothered with coeds [sic] on his return trip to the colleges of Florida . . . Join the Air Corps and meet your friends: Lt. Harrison, weather officer, and Lt. Richards, flying officer, went to Morningside together but hadn’t seen each other for a long time until they met here . . . Lt. Lundgren and P/O Creamer went on a fishing trip one Sunday. It was the first experience for the tall blonde British officer, but it was Lt. Lundgren who fed the fishes. P/O Creamer, by the by, has reversed yet another usual procedure. He learned to pilot a plane before he drove a car . . . Lt. Asmus and Lt. Hyman get hoarse from cheering the Dothan Browns, and from jeering the ump. . . . Our weekly S64 question: Were YOU one of the 10 o’clock officers who had your name taken at the gate last week? Which leads to our Poetry Corner:

Will you raise a little earlier
Said the M.P’s to the Sirs.
For we’ve orders to report you
And you land in stir.

From Geneva a booklet did bounce
Picturing rugs, chairs – even a flounce!
Robert B., a great help to you –
But unfortunate for the B.O.Q.

[cartoon]

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[page break]

SPORT

The “Flyers” met their Waterloo last Saturday afternoon at Selma when they were defeated 7-2 by a vastly improved Craig Field nine. The defeat, the first in inter-service games, was due mainly to loose fielding on the part of the locals and their inability to connect with runners on the base.

Leo Twardy, formerly of the Nashville ‘Vols’ and still the property of the New York Giants, pitched an airtight game for the Craigers and had the locals at his mercy throughout the nine innings. He walked one man and set seven of the Napier Nine down on strikes. Johnny Larmouth, local ace, received poor support. Six errors were committed by his teammates at vital moments in the game and cost him a possible victory.

‘AL’ Schwartz and Wingate connected for four of the six hits made off Twardy’s offerings. Al’s double in the sixth inning followed by ‘Army’ Armstrong’s triple produced the first Napier run. In the ninth, Hartman reached first on Carrigan’s error. Wingate, next up, singled to left, sending Hartman around to third. Larmouth followed with a long double off the center field wall to send Hartman in with the local’s final run. For the Selma Soldiers, the timely hitting of Houlihan, centre-fielder, and McCarty, star left-fielder, featured the winner’s attack. The Craig win evened up the series between the two clubs at one game apiece. The series will be resumed in the near future when the teams meet on the Dothan diamond.

The Score: R.H. E.
Napier Field - 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 6 6
Criag Field – 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 x 7 11 3

[drawing] Know Your Team [drawing]

Pvt. Alfred J. Schwartz, better known on the diamond as just plain “Al”, is the back-stop of the local aggregation. He is noted for his distance clouting and has a perfect eye while standing at the plate. “Al” last season was the regular catcher for the St. Paul team of the American Association. While performing for the class double AA nice he hit .318, batted in 84 runs and delivered 15 home runs to be well up in the final A.A. averages. On the Napier team “Al” bats in the clean-up position He works in the Special Service Off.

Like many famous names in baseball he started with an American Legion team in St. Paul. In 1936 his team reached the semi-finals of the national Legion tournament. In 1940 he moved from semi-pro ball up to Class C league ball playing with the Grand Forks club of the Northern League from where he jumped to the St. Paul club’s roster. He is still the property of this club.

GOSSIP

Spence Field will be the opposition Saturday on the air-base diamond . . . It will mark the first ball game to be played here on the post . . . Sunday Napier will play hose to the Spence outfit in Dothan . . . come out and support a real good ball club . . .

The drill grounds remind one of the large University training stadium every morning between 7:30 and 8 o’clock . . . note, Lt. Biles, there is a wealth of track material there . . . Hq. & Hq. Sqd. has completed their three way court in the rear of the orderly room – volley ball, tennis and badminton will be played.

The proposed golf match between Joe Ludes, big-time Pro, and Frank Agatone, eastern amateur linkman, should be a hum-dinger . . . watch for date . . . ‘Al’ Robinson was recently cited for being the best bunk-maker of Tent City and that’s not bunk . . . Buck Buckholz, keystone-sacker, has won the honors in the squad as the best handshaker . . . Kelly Springs, thanks to our husky soldiers, is fast becoming a reality.

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THE BLUE SLEEVE GARTER

– By Robert Benchley –

SEX and POLITICAL ECONOMY as blended by Mr. Galsworthy

Proscenium

In the rich gloom of the Board Room, surrounded by charts showing the Unemployment Situation and the old Corn Laws, Lister Hoag, seventeenth baronet, reviewed in his well dressed mind the situation which confronted his heart. There was, of course, Melisse. Tomorrow! Seventh anniversary of their wedding day! Seven years of what! He broke a lead pencil. Seven years of Melisse. Poor Melisse! And yet – in a way – poor Trevor! Sentiment was tip Unquestionably sentiment was tip. Still, Lister felt a strange ache when he thought of it all. What good in thinking? What good in tying one’s tie? No – by Gad! Old Breamly was speaking. To sell these ships now would mean a clear profit of thirty thousand pounds. Thirty thousand Melisses! Fifteen minutes – half an hour – what difference did it make? He would soon be with Melisse. He would take her in his arms and tell her that everything was tup. And that would be no lie. Everything was tup. Silly old gruff! Would Rodney Granish mind? And if he did, would Maxton Sixby blorrow [sic]? Jolly – if young Sixby blorrowed [sic]. What a mess! And now about these ships. The Germans wanted them. And England needed them. Reconstruction. Well, perhaps. But Melisse’s neck was whiter than Reconstruction. And her eyes deeper. What a jolly old mup [sic] it all was! Everything! Or – perhaps – nothing! Lister shut his eyes and marked “Three hundred pounds” on his pad. No use to have a heart. Or a liver either, for that matter.

Coda

It was warm in bed. Heavy brocade shut out the smart breeze which blew in the long windows from the Free Trade Club across Cavendish Square. Lister Hoag ran his bare arm along the soft mountain ranges of the coverlet. Nice.

Melisse was asleep beside him. At any rate, Melisse was beside him. The curve from her chin to her shoulder reminded Lister of the curve on the chart showing the Unemployment Situation. It was a long gentle curve and yet to him it cried out that the Government was wrong, all wrong. What right had one man to have a job when another hadn’t? What right had they to tax wheat when Bleeker and Tony Napin and Thornlip and all those other poor devils were eating ha’penny rolls? Political principles, he mused, were tip. Absolutely tip. And yet if one had no political principles one was likely to have no principles at all. If, as a member of the community, as an Englishman – and he certainly was an Englishman – he accepted the challenge, what was left but revolution! No, by George! England was there, and since England was there, there she must stay.

Melisse stirred softly at his side. She wanted to speak. She said:

“What time is it, dear?”

Automatically, Lister looked at his wrist watch. It was the watch that had been given him by the governors of the Liberal Union. A rum crown, the Union. No spines. No convictions. Like the Board. Seven per cent preference – nine prr [sic] cent ordinary. What whip. And since it was whip, why bother? But somehow the War had changed all that. The War changed everything. Nobody was sure now. A chap didn’t know in the morning what the Prime would be by night, and the Prime

(continued on page 16)

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[drawing]

WOMENS CLUB NEWS

The Bridge Club met Wednesday, May 6, at the Officers’ Club with Mrs. Edwin Cooper serving as hostess. About 20 members were present at the conclusion of the games, when first prize was presented to Mrs. Cy Wilson; second, to Mrs. H. M. Carr of Newton, Miss; third, to Mrs. Cooper; and the Bingo prize, to Mrs. Nelson Thomas

Mrs. F. C. McBride was a charming hostess Tuesday when she entertained at a bridge luncheon in her home in Dothan. Among the guests were Mrs. Hugh Suddent of West Virginia, Mrs. Richie Mack and Mrs. M. G. Stanhope.

Mrs. Allen Rankin entertained the Sewing Club Monday afternoon, May 11, at the Officers’ Club. Sandwiches and iced drinks were served to the members attending. Panama City seems to be The Place at the moment. Spending Sunday there were Lt. and Mrs. Baker, Lt. Glessner and Lou Farmer of Dothan; Lt. and Mrs. Slomoff and Judy; Lt. and Mrs. McWhorter . . . . Bachelor Officers rated this week when the Spinsters’ Club threw a dance Tuesday night at the Dothan Country Club and invited the lot of them . . . . Mrs. Edwin Cooper was the honor guest at a morning party Wednesday-before-last when Mrs. Amos Tindell entertained at a surprise shower . . . . Mrs. Chalmers back home from Selma with her infant son . . . . Mrs. Howard B. Payne of Elberton, Ga. here to see the Major . . . Mr. & Mrs. Bill Brown of Atlanta down to visit Mrs. Vann Brown.

MEDICATIONS

We hear that those “off duty” nurses who did not attend the Officers’ Club dance last Saturday night were probably at the Materiel Squadron picnic. (By the way, some people think up the strangest excuses to come down to the hospital anyway)

Senior Flight Surgeon, Major Frank A. Marshall, went down to New Orleans Saturday via the “invisible, odorless, and tasteless mixture of gases which surrounds the earth”, for the week-end.

What’s Cooking? Four things are “cooking” in the hospital area. A new dental clinic, ward, and two barracks are under construction. (They say things tend to expand in hot weather!)

ROSY REPAST: Miss Cleverdon, our Dean of the Diets, and S/Sgt. Bennett, King of the Kalorie Kastle, had the Mess tables bedecked with roses in honor of Mothers’ Day last Sunday. It was a beautiful tribute and well appreciated, ‘cept that several of the boys mistook the centerpiece for salad, and liberally sprinkled them with salt and pepper. The Payoff came, however when several Non-coms were heard asking for seconds! (Bonne bouche, n’est ce pas?)

QUIDNUNC KORNER: Haven in Headland or Boy Buoyed about by Beauty, or Mission for Majorie . . . Anyhow, De., what’s this we hear about our former woman hater asking for passes almost daily, then heading Headland way? . . . I bet you even take flowers, do you? . . . and maybe you even play Hands? . . .

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[page break]

Religious [drawing] – News

Lt William C. Summar
Post Chaplian [sic]

Lt. Paul J. Cuddy
Catholic Chaplain

ANNOUNCEMENT OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES

PROTESTANT

Worship Services: 9:30 Sunday morning.

Bible Study and Choir Practice: Each Tuesday from 6:30 to 7.30. This type of service is proving to be very helpful and popular among the men. The first thirty minutes are given to an informal Bible study, and the latter part of the period is given to choir practice. An invitation is extended to all who would like to attend.

CATHOLIC

Confessions: Saturdays, 4:30 to 5:30; 7:00 to 8:00.
Sundays, before each Mass.

Novena Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wednesday at 6:30 P.M.
Choir Rehearsal: Thursday at 6:00 P.M.
Masses: Daily at 6:10 A.M. Sunday at 6:15 (low Mass) and 8:00 (high)

Henry P. Julliard was elected President of the newly formed Holy Name Society. S/Sgt. Julliard has been a member of the Air-Corps Reserve for years, and is now connected with the Green Nose Squadron as head of the inspection crew. A meeting was held Wednesday after Novena Services and plans made for the first picnic, Sunday afternoon, May 24th.

JEWISH

Worship Services: Friday 6:30 P.M.

A LETTER TO JACK

Dear Jack:

Thank you for your letter describing Mothers’ Day. It was interesting.

Letter-writing is an art, not in the sense of rhetorical and grammatical construction, but in understanding the other fellow. Soldiers newly away from home are prodigious writers. (Witness the letter you wrote your Aunt Ellen, whom you never went to see when living at home!) Common sense will dictate the kind of letter to write. The [underlined] kind [/underlined] is determined according to the person to whom it is written.

For example, parents are interested in knowing about the moral and physical well-being of their children; the food, weather, laundry, bed, the work and the boss; the fidelity to the virtues which were taught at home; prayer, church-going, sobriety, etc.; a beloved dotes on endearing protestations; a pilot won’t give a hoot about scenery, academic problems and the like, - - but write about AT6s, BT13s, peculiarities of navigation, and he reads the letter thrice and quotes it to his friends.

Whenever you write, keep in mind the interests of the person to whom you are writing. And one of the soundest bits of counsel ever given me was given in 1929: “Never write a letter you would not be willing to have published on the front page of the New York Times.”

Faithfully,

The Padre

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[inserted] MAP of NORTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA and VICINITY [/inserted]
[map with handwritten annotations]

This past week the tempo of war increased all over the globe. In the Far East the United Nations destroyed an enemy invasion fleet near the Louisiade Archipelago, 450 miles northeast of Australia. The number of Japanese ships sunk is in the twenties and includes ships of all types. On Sunday Prime Minister Churchill remarked that the Japanese could ill afford to sustain such loses as they suffered in this engagement. It is estimated that at least 500 planes were involved.

In the Indian Ocean the British strengthed [sic] their garrison on Madegascax [sic] and on Ceylon, at the southern tip of India. This latter move is a reminder of the constant threat of a Japanese attack on India.

The Mediterranean became this week the scene of furious air battles over the British base of Malta. It is reported that 101 Axis planes were destroyed within three days and at a relatively small loss to the British

The Axis also raided Alexandria, Egypt, and the death toll was set at twenty two persons.

A new offensive against Russia was launched in the Crimea and the area of the sea of Azov with the intension of recapturing Kerch – the gateway to the Caucasus. The Russians claimed the use of gas mines by the Nazis and this brought forth the statement from Churchill that if the British were satisfied that the Nazis were using the weapon against Russia, they would use gas far and wide over Germany.

In western Europe Nazi firing squads were busy while the British announced that they had a long list of Nazi cities which would receive the same treatment recently dealt to Luebeck and Rostock. They advised Nazi workers to leave their factories, to go the fields and meditate and “watch the home fires burning”.

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[page break]

NAPIER NEWS

R.A.F. Wing Commander Kent, D.F.C. – A.F.C., gave a stimulating and interesting talk Monday at the Post Theater. This veteran flyer, who has fifty-four sweeps across the English channel to his credit, was introduced to the large audience of American and British officers and cadets by Flight Lieutenant Sir Anthony Lindsey-Hogg, Bt. in charge of British cadets at Napier Field.

The ace explained the psychology of the Germans and the technique used to eliminate them. Canada’s No. 1 hero of World War II concluded his talk with blackboard illustrations.

The Napier Field Commission returned from a tour of Florida colleges and high schools last week, reporting very successful results from their recruiting drive. This week the Napier Field group is again in Florida, daily giving the mental and physical examinations for Aviation Cadet training to applicants from the University of Miami and Rollins College, as well as any non-students who elect to take the exams. It is estimated that several hundred future flyers for the Air Force will be enrolled as a result of the drive. The Napier Field Commission is comprised of Lt. Col. H. F. Muenter, Lt. William J. Garland and Lt. John B. Deavours.

Mr. Louis P. Peresenyi, Athletic Director of Napier Field, returned from Officers Candidate School in Miami Beach, Florida last Monday and was sworn in as a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps. Lt. Peresenyi was a member of Class 42-A, the first officer class to be graduated from the new school. He was graduated with a mark of 93.

Under the new air Corps policy, athletic directors are being given officer training and commissions.

POST THEATRE

Tonight’s show, “My Favorite [sic] Blonde”, with Madeline Carroll and Bob Hope, is a benefit for the Army Emergency Relief Fund.

FRIDAY, May 15th
“LARCENY, INC.” – Edward G. Robinson, Jane Wyman. Short Subject.

SATURDAY, MAY 16th
“WHISPERING GHOSTS” – Milton Berle Brenda Joyce.

SUNDAY & MONDAY, MAY 17th & 18th
“RIO RITA” – Abbott & Costello. Short Subjects.

TUESDAY, MAY 19th
“THE SABOTEUR” – Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane. Short Subjects.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, MAY 20 & 21
“MY GAL SAL” – Rita Hayword, Victor Mature. News of the Day.

[drawing]
DON’T LOOK NOW HERR KRAUTHEAD . . .
BUT I THINK WE ARE BEING FOLLOWED

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[page break]

“CADETS”
To Retain Ratings

New orders out this week in regard to the ranks of enlisted men who have been qualified for aviation cadet training. In the past any enlisted man, regardless of rank, was transferred to the Air Corps Unassigned in the grade of private. Frequently they would remain in this status for several months, and thus lose a considerable amount of pay while still doing their regular work. Under this new setup the men who qualify will be transferred to A.C. Unassigned, but will retain the grade they held at the time of transfer. They will not, however, be eligible for promotion.

The men at Napier Field who have been reduced to rank of privates for this readon [sic], and are still awaiting assignment, will have their former ranks restored, effective May 1.

Soldiers who qualify for Officers Candidate School will now also retain their present rank. If they do not at present hold the rank of corporal, they are promoted on transfer, unless the promotion would involve a reduction in pay.

HQ. Goes Dramatic

Turning their talents to dramatics, the men of Hq. Squadron will present a play at the Recreation Hall in the near future. Called the “Napier Field Follies”, the play, a musical, is written by Pfc. Marvin J. Cohen.

Pfc. Oscar Hobman is directing the production and Capt. Stanhope is Technical Director.

Cast and performance date of the “Napier Field Follies” will be announced shortly.

From all reports, the show is going to be worth seeing.

[cartoon drawing]

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HQ. [logo] Sq.

On Thursday, May 7, the Headquarters Squadron was given the Honor Plaque and a check for $50 in recognition of being adjudged the best squadron on the post for April. Captain Matthew C. Stanhope, known to his men “as the officer who wakes us up in the morning and puts us to bed at night” is Commanding Officer of the Squadron.

A story of “do or die” goes with the award of this month. Last month, the Headquarters organization missed the prize by two points. So close and so anxious were they, that a meeting of all personnel was called, their shortcomings discussed, and the men told each other that they could do it if every man tried. Capt. Stanhope told his men, “If any of you can’t drill . . . and don’t think you can make the grade, you have my permission to drop you and it won’t be held against you.” Not a single man
dropped out!

[cartoon image]

Instead, each individual began a “on your toes, keep your eyes open” campaign. It didn’t make any difference who threw that piece of paper down . . . the first man to it picked it up. If his barrackmate’s bed didn’t look quite right . . . he fixed it. Much credit goes also to the M.P.’s assigned to Headquarters Squadron . . they were strictly on their toes.

The award was made upon recommendation of Major Howard B. Payne, Post Administrative Inspector, and was based on general efficience [sic] and appearance of personnel and squadron area, organization supply, morale, squadron records and accounts, number of men violating rules.

A new weather vane now decorates the grounds of Headquarters Squadron. It is a hand carved air plane model mounted on a pole. The plane was carried by Pfc. Johnson and decorated by Pfc. Meiers.

Pfc. Johnson has done some excellent work with a knife and a piece of wood. He has carved several desk sets for the dayroom and is at the present time carving an eagle out of a solid block of wood. The eagle will also be hung in the dayroom.

Pvt. Seidelson’s sisters must think he isn’t being fed well in the army. He received two very large boxes of goodies last week. All the boys in barracks 185 want to thank them for being so nice to their brother.

Pfc. Burton and Pvt. Cotovsky have been transferred to the 430th School Squadron and sent to Chanute Field for training as air plane mechanics . . . lots of luck. Sgt. Lewis and Corp. Sauuge left of furloughs May 11, and will visit their families.

-12-

[page break]

BLACKNOSE SQ.

Many members of the squadron were fortunate in receiving visitors from home this week. Among the lucky ones were Pvt. Joseph F. Cooper, who hit the jackpot. Not only did his mother and father visit him, but also the wife. The folks came all the way from Harrisburg, Pa. Cpl. Preston’s brother was another visitor to the field. Mr. Preston is now attending Officers’ Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., so the Corporal and the future Lieutenant should be able to see more of each other. Cpl. Baim, the Monarch of the Dayroom, also received his brother from the Windy City.

Cpl. Theodore Caffney is reported having middle-aisled it last March 2nd, and is now residing in Dothan – Lucky Fellow. And then Cpl. George S. Cosgrove is squiring a lass from Tuxedo Junction way. Another Yankee succumbing to these wondeeful [sic] Southern gals. Do I hear wedding chimes?

M/Sgt. Hale, our Line Chief, is “at ease” now, too, since the Little Woman has come in from Montgomery. Sgt. Hale, by the way, last week had the distinction of being given individual commendation for outstanding performance of duties Line Chief. Congratulations, Sgt.

We are happy to report this week that the Squadron Commander, Capt. Cy Wilson, has been promoted to the rank of Major. Congratulations.

YELLOW NOSE SQ.

Corp. Libowitz sends urgent request for some hot water, “so a man can shave”. Okay, Morrie, where’s the man?

Humor, in the shape of Sgt. Fulton, has it that Pvt. Harper is now all thoroughly married up. Say it ain’t so, Harper – think of all the broken hearts there’ll be in Walla Walla!

And while mentioning Sgt. Fulton, who is the lady way back to Missouri who has him talking in his sleep?

Where are our wandering boys tonight? Why, here they are – Privates Reneau and Robbins. Welcome back, boys! . . . Sgt. Felix wants foreign service immediately, deep in the heart of Timbuktu, Tibet, Abyssinia or anyplace far from home. Sounds like the light of his life blew a fuse.

If Pvt. Jungbluth gets in any more passenger hours, he’ll be sprouting wings of his own – the leather variety.

Our professors of hill-william “git-tar” music (?), S/Sgt. Spain, Sgt. Campbell, and Pfc. Heywood, announce their firxt [sic] recital, to be held on the other side of the field some afternoon in the near future – only how are they going to split up two “Git-tars” between the three of them?

The radient [sic] dazzle from the Squadron block this last week was not a new bunch of searchlights. Just a lotta new stripes, bursting forth in all their glory, on the new sarges, corps and pfc’s. And, boy, of boy, have a lotta them been pulling their rank!

No, fellows, we are not going to have a sunken garden and lily pool in the Squadron yard. The water pipe just let go.

[drawing]
R.DEWAR.
MORE CIGARS

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[page break]

Red Nose Sq.

Let it be said that only red-noses in the squadron are on the airplanes . . . What Well admired Sgt. will soon adopt a middle name “SUGAR” if he doesn’t start to ration his women to some of the other boys . . . What will happen to that sad typist who has names as Szczepanski, Strawinskas, Itzkowitz, Sluganski, Misiejkis on his roster. A reservation should be made at the cloest [sic] sanitarium [sic], immediately.

Cpl. Verret claims La. as his own state, however to hear him pronounce clerk as clawk [sic], and work as woik [sic] we’re beginning to figure him out as a new joyisey beachcomber.

The new pass system had the Air Cadets up in the air; the trouble was, that they didn’t know whether they were coming or going . . .

Our Rookies are doing a lot of swimming. Keep up the good work, boys, swimming in sweat puts hair on your Chest and stripes on your arms.

Welcome back, Cpl. Williams, letters of no letters, we’re glad to see you, dragging that mail bag around again.

[sketch]
“NAPIER FIELD SPECIAL”

Blue Nose Sq.

What charming young lady of Dothan was waiting at the depot for one of our Cpls. on his return from furlough; we wonder if she knew that he had a ring for her. Congratulations Louise and Melvin! . . . The boys of the squadron wish to offer their congratulations to Pfc. Leonard M. Pollard, Jr. upon his marriage to Miss Ina Hoock, a childhood sweetheart, of Capoc, Michigan, while home on furlough.

What has happened to our Armament Dept? What was once a “woman hating outfit”, has done an about face and all the boys are falling in love . . . Who is the girl that likes to stroll around Porter Fairyland with Sgt. Page; could it be Louise? . . .

What happened when Pfc. James was out at Porters Fairyland one night and accommodated someone by a “Little Exercise”?

What will Dothan’s fair sex do when Cpl. Harry Parker (Lady Killer) leaves for new territory?

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[page break]

QM. Det.

The Quartermaster Detachment’s softball team added another victory to their credit by overwhelming Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 8-4. So far the team boasts of two wins and no losses . . . Still open for games, too . . Hats off to Lt. Thomas J. Fowler on his recent promotion to 1st Lt . . . Can’t keep a good man down, they say. Loads of luck to Sgt. MacFayden who has left for Officers Training School at Camp Lee, Va . . . Best of luck to Thomas Martin, Quartermaster civilian employee, who leaves for Fort Baracass, Fla. to don a Flying Cadet uniform . . . He hopes to be sent to California, preferably Hollywood . . . Orchids to Mr. Broxton, another Quartermaster civilian employee, for his success in passing the Flying Cadet exam . . . Henry Sonnet, a lad hailing from the smoky city, thinks that a peep is an ovexgrown [sic] malted milk shaker . . . That is no Chinaman you see entering the QM barracks, it is Michaly grease dispatcher, without his eyebrows . . . What’s this we hear about “Joe Yardbird” falling out of a Peep as it rounded a corner . . . Jack Cooper claims he had a borcht transfusion but now he is all full of lumps . . . They forgot to remove all the spuds, he says . . . Sgt. Fredrichs is about to do a Lohengrin, we hear . . . The girl is a fair Slocomb [missing letter] te.

M.P.

Sgt. Carl E. Buchanan returned this morning from Camp Croft, S.C. after taking one of the wandering sons back to that station. He reports that at a junction in South Carolina a kind old lady called on him for air in quieting a half dozen exuberant marines. He says that the boiling point of the marines cooled off a bit after he reprimanded them . . . New M.P.’s are: Pvts. Grygier, Fowler, Keeman, Sloppy, Buyer, Yingst, Patrick, and Landrum.

MATERIEL

It was quite a party that Materiel threw last Saturday night at Porters Fairyland. Almost 100 percent of the Squadron turned out, and it was such a success that the boys are already looking forward to the next one. There was a tremendous meal, dancing, the field orchestra, group singing, swimming, horse-play and a real convivial spirit. More of the same during the hot months to come, is the hope of the Squadron. Lt. Wolfsohn really worked hard to make it a success and came to the rescue when a dry spell loomed. Working with him were T/Sgt. Martin, Sgts. Shaphren, Bush, Howard and a large group of non-coms and privates.

Picnic panics: Sgt. Howard had no difficulty with his committee, after he promised them “liquid refreshments.” A nearby horse and mule exchange raised some sleculation [sic] concerning the barbecue beef. But all speculation vanished when the boys tasted the barbecued beef . . . It was good . . . Several Polar Bears did some swimming in the evening. Blackie Carlo lead the band to the accompaniment of Pvt. Mock’s belly laughs.

[drawing]

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[page break]

THE BLUE SLEEVE GARTER
Continued from Page 6

didn’t know at night what a chap would be in the morning. England was twill. But she was England, nevertheless.

“It’s a quarter to eight, dear.”

But Melisse was asleep again, with a faint curl of disgust on her fifteenth century lips.

Teatime at Bleems

Nine hours later Trevor Ramsty stood facing the tea table across which Melisse Hoag was stretching a white arm. England was still England.

“Draw up. Cream, Trevor? Go away, Whang! You’ve had your tea. Don’t tell me, Trevor, that you are going out for

[drawing]

the Socialists? That’s sugar you’re taking, you know, Ducky, not opium.”

“Not so much going out for the Socialists as going in for talking, Empress.”

Melisse looked at him. Very nicely put! Trevor would be nice to have with one on a canal boat.

“Ware shoals, Melisse!” said Ramsty.

“Budney, my dear, sheer budney.”

Trevor bit his lip thoughtfully.

“You stweem [sic] a bit – for you.”

“That will do, Cheery! And please someone take Whang downstairs. He has become intolerable since the Free Trade Club gave him that new leash.”

Whang placed his paws on Lister’s spats and said:

“Put me out if you will, but remember, I can vote at the next General Election.”

Lister was incalculable – did such odd things! To be sure, he was nice. Very nice. But incalculable.

“I’m sorry, Melisse, if I have made a gaff.”

“Not a bit, jolly old tib. The thing about England today is that we are too English Whang here knows better. He eats anything.”

Trevor smiled queerly.

“Are you quite, quite sure?” asked Melisse.

“Rather! And, by the way, is it full fig tonight!”

“Just as you like. Meenie will be there.”

“Full fig, then.”

“I thought so.”

“I thought you would think so.”

“It was good of you to get me Rennie Cleenist, though. I do hope he’ll behave and not be full of Debt Refunding. I’m putting him between Little Omster and Neyla Brann. Seven. You know them all. Oh, and you mustn’t mind if Old Wadney talked Merchant Marine. He loves it so. Did you read Willie’s story about him? Oh, too frightfully amusing – clearly meant for H.K.V. Whang, put that down! Whose hat is it?”

“Mine,” said Lister, as he entered the room, “but never mind. We sold those ships”

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