The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-03
LEGION LEADER
ALWAYS NOTED
ASA FIGHTER
Col. Fred w. Galbraith, Ma
tiOnal Commander. Had
Checkered Career.
BORN IN AN, ARSENAL
Crossed Continent Ere
quently and Was a Sailor
for Six Years.
FREQUENTLY IN BUSINESS
Finally Became Colonel of
147th Infantry, Known as
Fighting First
FREQUENTLY IN BUSINESS
Special Despatch to THE HmALD.

Colonel of the Fighting First" as Col
Fred w. Gailbraith, new national com
mander of the American Legion, was
known while leading his regiment of
the Thirty-seventh Division to vic
tory over the Germans, began his ca
reer under prophetic surroundings. as
he was born in the WATERFOWL Arse
nal. Government reservation at Wa
tertown, Mass, on May 6. 1874. He has
fought both literally and figuratively
for forty-six years.
He left grammar school at an early
age and went to San Diego, Cal, with
his father. He attended school only
up to his tenth year.
Almost before the man who to-day
leads Uncle Sans former fighters had
attained his teens he went to work as
track walker for the Southern Pacific
Railroad, which was then known as
the California Southern. A roundhouse
fight was the nightly programme Of
the track walkers, and "the fighting
Colonel emerged victorious on almost
all occasions and against odds.
AS a transcontinental traveller the
youthful Galbraith also broke all rec
ords. When he was thirteen years old
he made another cross-country jump.
this time to Springfield, Mass. There
he began a rather abbreviated financial
career. He obtained a position in a
bank. After working there a short time
the youth obtained a position with a
Springfield manufacturing concern.
Foreman at 10.
After several years of hard work in
the manufacturing plant Galbraith was
made foreman at the age of 16. Then
there were no seniority rights and work
was the thermometer of advances. Dur
ing the time that he was foreman he
was subject to an attack of sea fever
and began to study nights to fit himself
for Annapolis. In his first military
venture he was doomed to disappoint-
ment, however. for after successfully
passing mental examinations he was in
formed that he was six months over the
age limit for cadets.
Not in the least discouraged and still
resolved to be a trained fighter. Gal.
braith entered the Massachusetts, Nauti.
cal Training Academy. He completed q
three year course in less than a year al
the age of is, was assigned to the shiI
Enterprise and made a trip to Japan
Later he was transferred to the Driegc
and was the first graduate of that YES
sci. That Galbraith was as good Q
fighter on the sea as on land his ship
mates before the mast can testify.
Later he made another trip to japan
and was promoted TO third mate. Dur
ing this time he showed the earmarki
of heroism. when fire broke in the
hold where oil was stored Galbraitf
fought his way through the flames L
waken companion who was asleep
He risked his life in this adventure anC
won the respect of officers and crew b!
this deed and was known ever after a!
"The Battling Third Mate"
At Sea for six Years.
All told Galbraith was at sea boil
Before the mast and as an officer TO
about six years. After the cruise II
which he rescued his fellow seaman
from the flames in the hold he returne,
TO New York as a second mate. Hi
promotion came chiefly as an acknowl
edgement OF his heroic work.
He was one of the most sought afte
officers during the time he was in por
and finally accepted a position on tn,
square yards OF canvas. and regarded a
one Of the largest of its time. On thi
vessel the Colonel made trip aroun,
the Horn and again saw the shores o
California, which he had left during hi
boyhood.
There adversely. always lowering owe
the Colonel, made its first severe attack
and he was left stranded on the beach
He worked around the wharves for owe
\ nd d to In 20
was reduced TO $3.50 he wired nj
brother for $50. His brother. a SLOW
moving New Highlander. sent the monc'
by mail, and Galbraith became &C
quainted with hunger for the first TIM
while on the beach at Frisco. Sine
then he has told friends of Drumming
a meal from the free lunch stands II
the sailors dives around San Franciscoi
Chinatown. When the money finally
arrived Galbraith had made the rounds
OF oil the free lunch barrooms in Sar
Francisco as well as the cheap restau
rants 1t was then that Galbraith frs
became an orator and IL took more thar
the skill of even William Jennings
Bryan to wheedle meal out OF the pro.
prietors of San Francisco restaurants
in the old days.
His relatives then begged him {,
desert the life of the sea for n NOR
stable existence and In order TO compl,
with their request he again worked hi
way around the Horn on a tramp saint
vessel.
Took Factory Position.
On his arrival al home Galbraith tool
the next step in his career as a fghtc
first and business man last by accop.
Ing q position in n factory. When IN,
dull monotony Of this life began 10 pal
he changed Jobs and went 70 work a.
dressing postal cards for SO a week
In year he became treasurer OF ia,
company for which he first worked. !
was jobbng tobacco concern.
IL was then that the world War her,
got his first real chance 90 do obi
things" IL was with the John i. Suuire
e. Co, a packing concern OF his HON,
city. Springfield. The concern had drift
ed down hill and had gone into tn
~ hands OF a receiver. William Lloy,
Harrison, Jr.. one OF the board OF re
cefvers. same 20 Galbraith and aske,
him II he would take the Job Of straight
cning things Up I'VE want a man VIII,
can make things hum" Garrison toll,
Caibraith. "I'll take a shot at IT," sal,
the fightlng Colonel Good. your salar,
is $4,000 a year" Garrison replied
Galbraith, as he had done everything