Evening star., 1938-09-25
MARINE RESERVES
DRAW H|CHPRA|SE
Board of Observers Says 5th
Battalion Rates as
Excellent

The Marine Corps Board of Observ-
ers last week in reporting on the Dis
trict's 5th Battalion, Organized Marine
Corps Reserve, field training period
gave it a rating of high standard"
THE board" the report states. has
never observed Reserve battalion
possessing higher spirit or showing
greater interest in its training. Com
pared with other Reserve organizations
the 5th Battalion rated excellent"
Maj. Gen. Thomas Holcomb, U. S.
M. c., commandant of the Marine
Corps, released the report, which was
signed by 1t. Coils. Raphael Griffin
and Charles N. Muldrow and Mai.
Eugene F. c. Collier, U. S. NJ C.. The
report covers the training period last
month at Camp Albert Ritchie. 1t
is the fourth consecutive COM
mandatory report accorded this bat
talon.
The battalions weapons were almost
without exception clean and free of
rust. showing that excellent care had
been taken of them," the report states.
IeIsoHHci Hisn type.
The personnel of the battalion was
classified as of "high-average type"
considerable number of them in
good standing in business and the pro-
feSsions.
Officers and men alike were rated
as displaying fine spirit of willing
ness and eagerness to learn, punctilious
IN military courtesy and guard duty
and well up to the character of the
personnel of the regular Marine
Corps" Rating the drills as very
good the board reported squad lead
ers displayed an excellent knowledge
OF the subject"
The final parade and review was
rated as excellent" with the men
showing "a very smart appearance"
In craftsmanship the battalion showed
an Improvement of 36.7 per cent over
the previous years scores for record
firing, with total qualifications in the
battalion rated at 646 per cent.
Reporting on the officers the board
said: The character of officer per-
sonnel was, without exception, of a
high order. They were courteous.
tactful, eager and diligent. 1t was
apparent that most of them had taken
courses in the Marine Corps schools.
The board was impressed with the
interest and zeal displayed by the
officers and the fine spirit they in
stilled in the men"
Privates Very Satisfactory.
The non commissioned officers were
rated as very good" maintaining
excellent discipline, due to having
gained the respect and confidence of
the men under them" The privates
were rated as very satisfactory, eager
and willing to learn" The board
concurred in the general opinion of
all in the battalion that the group
OF on-commissioned officer instruc-
tors sent to camp from Quantico we're
OF outstanding value to the battalion
In all phases of instruction.
Staff officers of the battalion, who
were praised in the report, include:
1t. Col. Harvey l.. Miller, commander;
Maj. George w. McHenry, inspector
instructor; Capt, Troy A. Nubson,
battalion quartermaster; 1t. Comdr.
Don S. knowlton, surgeon; Capt John
j. Carter, camp quartermaster; First
1t. William j. Burrows, adjutant;
First 1t. John E. Fondahl, range and
ordnance officer, and his assistant,
Marine Gunner Myron E. Thompson;
first 1t. Ben. NJ. Stern, athletic and
publicity officer; 1t. Howard H. Strine,
medical officer; It. w. L. Schafer,
sanitary officer, and 1t. q. g. Fran
els F. Fabrizio, dental officer.