Evening star., 1938-06-12

Many offers Of aid In the prepara-
ton Of the history Of the District Ma
tional Guard have been received at
the local headquarters from citizens
who were either enlisted men or on
GERS many years ago. or who were
members Of the outstanding separate
companies which were famous in the
early days Of the city. Ofhcers say
that the proffers Of aid began pouring
into headquarters following the >publi-
cation in The Sunday Star two weeks
ago of the intention of Col John w.
Oehmann, then acting commander. to
have = history Of the organization
prepared and published.
In view Of the fact that many former
members are living in the city, it was
pointed out that much first-hand In
formation can be obtained which will
enable the present guardsmen to get
out an almost accurate history.
Brig. Gen. Albert L. Cox, command
ing general. also has received a num-
Der Of communications In which offers
were contained to assist the local
guardsmen in the preparation Of data
for the book. Gen. Cox has informed
these correspondents that he would. be
glad to receive any information which
they have and which would be of as
sistance in making the volume q COM
plete record Of the local militia from
its early days.
Perhaps the chapter which will
cause the most concern is that of the
participation In the World War by
those who were in the local militia at
the time OF the outbreak Of hostilities
Many Of them did not serve with the
D. G. outfits as such, but were scat
tered through various organizations,
and any information on this part Of
the Guard would be invaluable, and
perhaps would save considerable re-
search Of the war records in the War
Department. Perhaps many Of these
guardsmen have pictures, some Of
which might prove interesting illustsa-
tions for the work, and those engaged
In It's preparation would like to have
the opportunity of at least viewing
them to ascertain whether they should
be included.
This Is the first time in the long
history Of the local militia that any
thing OF such magnitude has been at
tempted and every one In the present
organization is expected to work in its
preparation and particularly In the
preparation of data on the postwar
activities.
As the field training activities of
the 10th National Guard Division
staff and headquarters units this
year will be held on the home grounds
Of the Virginia militia, which Is a
part Of the division, officers of the
Virginia Guard were called upon last
week to assist in the preparation Of
plans for the field work, and particu-
larly to assist in the selection of the
several camp sites which will be re-
quired in the course of the encamp-
ment, and to assist in getting permis-
sion for their use. As has been re-
ported. the training of this important
Guard component will be held this
year in the Shenandoah Valley, in
the vicinity Of Front Royal 1t will
partake Of the nature Of q mobile
force, which will move from time to
time rs the campaign" progresses,
as the war problems are worked out.
1t Is this phase which requires the
use Of number Of camps, which will
have to be moved to on short notice.
Those who participated in the in
spection were Maj. Gen. Milton A.
Reckord Of the National Guard Of
Maryland. commander of the 29th
National Guard Division, which COM
prises the National Guard units of
this city and the States OF Maryland
and Virginia: Brig. Gen. S. Gardner
Waller. adjutant general of the Vir-
ginia National Guard; Col. S. L. Pike,
U. s. Army, divisional instructor; Col
William Mckee Dunn. DIVISIONAL sig
nal ofncer; Maj. William r. Roy Of
the District National Guard, COM
manding the divisional headquarters
troops: 1t. COL Shepard Crump, the
United States property and disbursing
ofhcer Of the Virginia Guard, and
Maj. Samuel r. Willard, jr, executive
ofiicer Of the 0lst Infantry Brigade,
Virginia National Guard.
With the sites for the camps Sc
lected and their use arranged for, the
officers will return to their various
units and start the preparation Of
plans for holding the encampment
which will be carried on in the valley
OF Virginia for . period Of Is days.
The matter Of transportation and
movement Of the troops engaged In
the field campaign will fall to the
local outfits, including the 104th
Quartermaster Regiment, which is
commanded by Maj. Fletcher B.
Bernsdorh Of the local organization.
It will give this newly formed outfit
an opportunity to show how well its
plans have been formulated on paper
and give It further opportunity to
check up on defects which might be
found In an actual field campaign.
The 260th Coast Artillery celebrated
the anniversary Of its organization as
q regiment Friday night. It took the
form Of q dinner, which was given by
the officers Of the regiment at the
Army and Navy Club In Arlington,
which was attended by Gen. Cox.
The local Guard Is expected to be
represented at the annual convention
at San Francisco September rs, ~
and 28. While the delegates have
not been named, 1t is probable that
the local militia will be represented
by the new commanding general, who
will have an opportunity Of hearing
first hand the problems confronting
the militia of the entire country,
and perhaps to present some of the
problems Of the local outfit, particu-
larly the failure Of Congress to pro-
vide adequate armory facilities. Col.
Cox now Is engaged in thoroughly
canvassing the armory situation and
local oficers are hoping that he will
be able to bring about some results
ON q problem which has been facing
the local militiamen for more than
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