Evening star., 1932-02-14

A movement for the erection in the
District of Columbia of memorial
to the National Guard members who
served in the World War has been
launched. While the suggestion was
made at a meeting of the New York
National Guard Association, it was
pointed out that the memorial should
be erected in the National Capital and
that not only Congress should partici-
tions for the memorial should come
from the members Of the Guard
throughout the United States.
The movement is too young to bring
out any definite ideas of what form
the memorial should take However, it
is believed that it should be useful
one, and it is pointed cut that the
construction Of model armory for the
training of the National Guard of the
District of Columbia shonld be con-
sidered.
Congress for years has been asked
by the officials of the local Militia to
make provision for the construction of
a model armOrv here which would
stand out as an example for the States.
but TO date nothing has been done and
the local Militia has for the past few
years Shunted from one building to
another. These buildings were never
built for armory purposes and even at
the present time the largest unit. the
12lst Engineers, is located in a build
ing which does not have a room large
enough to be used as a drill hall in
inclement weather. In fair weather the
troops are compelled to use the open
field in the Mall.
Maj. Gen. George E. Leach. chief of
the Militia Bureau. believes that Con-
sress should participate in the plan
ming and erection Of fitting memorial
in Washington for the Guard who
served in the World War, according to
statement issued by the War De-
partment.
AS conceived by Gen. Leach, himself
a distinguished veteran of the World
War, having served in the famous AID,
also known as the Rainbow Division,
being wounded and accoladed with the
highest decoration of the Nation for
gallantry in action. the present day
National Guard units will be privileged
to contribute to the funds for the erec-
ticn of the proposed memorial.
Speaking before the delegates at the
annual convention Of the National
Guard Association of the State of New
York at Buffalo. few weeks ago. Gen.
Leach outlined his idea concerning the
memorial and stated:
Memorials have been erected through
out the country in the past decade
honoring the deserving of the World
War. But there is no memorial for
the National Guard. AS the National
Guard was the first in the war, par
ticipatirg with no less than II di-
visions. several of which had outstand-
ing combat performances. it seems that
the Nation as a whole will welcome the
privilege of erecting a memorial hon.
Oring the sacrifice and valor of the
Guardslnen 1t is my opinion that
after all the State conventions have
taken appropriate action and the next
annual convention OF the National
Guard Association of the United States
has approved, the matter might we'll
be presented to the Congress for its
cooperation in the project"
After consideration cf the sugges-
ton. the Empire State Association
adopted unanimously the following res
olution:
Whereas. the National Guard of the
United States that served in the World
War has no memorial erected to its
memory at Washington, D. c.. or in
anv other place in the United States.
Therefore. be it resolved, That this
convention Of the National Guard AsSo-
citation Of the State of New York go on
record as favorng the erection of such
n memorial to the World War National
Guard of the United States at WASH
ington, D. c., and that copy of this
resolution be forwarded to the secre-
tary of the United States National
Guard Association for action at the
next convention
The approximate strength of the Ma
tiOnal Guard prior to the World War
was 10000 officers and men. Mexican
border service in 1916 greatly aided the
training and the necessary expansion
of the World War had a firm founda-
ton, the War Department statement
says To day the National Guard is
recognized as an established part of
the community structure and occupies
popular place in the scheme of ma
tional defense. The present strength is
10000 officers and men and owing
to the reduced strength of the Regular
Army. the country is forced to depend
on the National Guard as its first line
Of defense.
The National Guard attendance list
was headed last week by the Medical
Department Detachment, 12lst Engi-
neerS, which had 100 per cent of its
personnel at drill and was placed at the
top Of the list in the classification OF
superior. There were three other organ
izations in this group. They were. with
their percentages: The goth Division
Military Police Company. e8lo; Head
quarters Detachment, 29th Division,
1902; Battery E, 260th Coast Artillery,
9016
The other organizations, with their
percentages, follow in their respective
claSSifications:
Excellent: Band, 121st Engineers,
1928: Headquarters Detachment, Spe-
cial Troops. $3.50; State Detachment,
85.7l; Battery B, 260th Coast Artillery,
1904; Medical Department Detachment,
260th Coast Artillery, 5000
Very satisfactory: Company E, 121St
Engineers 1901; Company A. 121st En-
gineers. 1868; Headquarters Detach-
ment and Combat Train, 260th Coast
Artillery. 764 At; Company D, 12lst En-
gneers, 1912; Company A, 372d 1nfan-
try, 7l.64; Battery A, 260th Coast Ar
tillery, 1000.
Satisfactory: Battery C, 260th Coast
Artillery, 65.57; Company B, 12lst En-
gineers, 60.3l.
Pvt Morris j. Webster has been Or
Gered transferred from the reserve to
the active list of the Headquarters Dc
tachment, 29th Division.
Pvt Emmitt r Towers on the re-
serve list of the 29th Division Military
Police Company, has been ordered hon
orably discharged to permit him 10 en-
list in the United States Navy.
First Sergt. John T. O'Neil, Com
pany F, 12lst Engineers, now on the
Engineer eligible list, has been ordered
to report to Col John w. Oehmann,
12Ist Engineers. president of an officers
examining board. for the purpose of
being examined for promotion to be
second lieutenant OF Engineers.