Evening star., 1941-02-15
Armory Is Virtually
Abandoned; Last Big
Guard Unit Leaves
Squirt in Activity
Climuxed by Departure
Of 12lst Engineers

The time-worn rooms and cor
ridors of the old National Guard
Armory, Sixth street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue NV, were emptied
today of the last major Guard regi-
ment to be called from the District
for active duty.
Except for the administrative
Offices of the city's selective serv-
ice system and the skeleton staff of
the Guard remaining behind, they
could hang out the for rent" sign
on the dlngy front of the structure
that once was offered to the public
as the National Hotel.
Some 300 officers and men of the
12lst Engineers waved farewell to
relatives and friends at the armory
yesterday afternoon, and, budding
In Army trucks, shipped out to Fort
George G. Meade, Md, for years
training.
18 Trucks in Convoy.
The engineers, in command of 1t.
Col. Julian S. Oliff, regimental
executive officer, joined $50 of their
fellows at the military post last
night, Included in the advance con-
tlngent who had made preparations
for the arrival of the remainder of
the men was Col. John w. Och
mann, commanding officer of the
unit.
Eighteen trucks were in the con-
vov which moved away from the
armOry with a police escort yester-
day. Seven other vehicles followed
during the early evening with the
last of the regiments equipment
The bulk of the baggage was moved
to Fort Meade yesterday morning.
Acting under Col. Oliff were 1t.
James D. Tanner, regiment ad-
jutant, and 1t Howard A. Burd, in
telligence officer. The 1st Battalion
was in command of Maj. Ralph S.
Childs; I'd Battalion. Capt. c. E
SmlthSon, and the headquarters and
service companies, Capt. L. B. Hall.
Crowded With Kin.
The armOry lobby-SCene of many
tender fareWellS since the Army ex-
pansion program began drawing out
selecteeS and guardsmen last fall
was crowded with mothers, fa-
thers, wives children and sweet
hearts yesterday afternoon. hours
before the heavy trucks rolled away.
The civilians mingled freely with
the paCk-laden guardSmen as the
latter hurried back and forth
through the lobby and up and down
the creaking steps. doing last-min-
ute chores for themselves and their
superior officers.
Most of the visitors marched with
the departing soldiers across heavily
trafficked PENNSYLVANIA avenue and
to the line of trucks in front of the
new National Gallery of Art-and
stood in the drizzling rain until the
convoy roared away.
On duty at Fort Meade today
we're the following District National
Guard units: the 121St Engineers
the 1st Battalion, 1O4th Quarter
master Regiment; 104th Ordance
Company. and the Special Troops
of the 29th Division. Washington /
260th Coast Artillery is on duty at |
Fort Bliss. Tex.
Meanwhile, other troops of the
c9th Division were expected to begin
pouring into Fort Meade Monday, /
with 5000 men of the division
scheduled to be encamped at the .
post by next week end.
Mai. Gen. Milton A Rockford,
division commander, has issued .
orders that will bring in regiments
from Maryland, Virginia and Pitts
burgh, Pa.
Assured of Facilities.
Gen. Rockford acted after being
assured by construction officials .
that housing and hospital facilities .
would be ready to take care of the
incoming men. /
Under a special moving schedule /