Evening star., 1942-05-17

given IOT MARSHAL HOmmelS amazing
comeback against the British In Egypt
was that large number Of German tank
workmen, non-soldiers, who had been
shipped across to the Mediterranean,
repaired the tanks in far less time than
the British had expected.
The higher ranking officers, such as
inventors and defense contractors who
will want to determine how their prod
ucts operate under actual combat con-
ditions, may serve overseas orIy for
short periods. Their specialists rank.
besides giving the protection Of the
Geneva conventions. will also enable
them to conform to military protocol
and to obtain transportation priorities.
Although the physical and age re-
quirements of the corps are much
broader than those Of the Army, flve
categories Of physical fitness are being
set up. Only those in the first category
will be allowed near the front lines. In
the domestic work. much lower physical
standards will be permitted. For in
stance, should 1t be necessary to estab-
lish schools for special training Of tech
nicians. college professor or college
president may be the ideal person to
organize and conduct the work. Often
such a person could not pass the Army
physical examinations. II his civilian
experience has proved that he has the
stamina to perform the semi military
task, he could be commissioned as q
specialist.
Created by Executive Order.
Mr.. Davis Is emphatic that his corps
shall not become . haven for draft
evaders. He comedies that In some cases
a draft eligible may obtain deferment
for a short time in order to complete a
special task, but in general, the officers
and men will be beyond draft ages and
requirements.
The Specialists Corps was set up by An
executive order. Mr.. Davis has received
hundreds of applications from business
and professional men. offering their
services some for the duration, some for
any special task assigned.
Here is letter" Mr.. Davis said, ask
ing me if I remembered lying in fox
hole in France with a young lieutenant
during an enemy artillery barrage. I
remember the incident. The writer says
that he is that young lieutenant. Now
he is the head of a large and prosperous
willing to serve on any Job to which
we'll assign him. He is typical of the
many older men who want to serve di-
rectly in the war"
When the organization Of the Special
lists Corps was first announced, 1t was
reported that Mr. Davis would have the
rank of lieutenant general. He will ac-
cept no rank. believing he can work
more efficiently as the civilian head.
Several Regular Army officers, with spe-
ciaIist rating, are helping him in the
preliminary work
Davis Won D. S. C.
Mr.. Davis went to France in 1917 as a
captain in the 5th Missouri Infantry. He
won the Distinguished Service Cross in
September of that year for "extraordi-
nary heroisn" at Baulny and Chaudron
Farm and was mustered out lieutenant
colonel. He later became a colonel in
the Reserve Corps
Mr.. Davis came to Washington in 1921
as member Of the War Finance Corp.
In 1923 he was named Assistant Secre-
tary of War. in which position he had
charge of the Army's procurement pro-
gram. In 1925 President Coolidge took
him into the cabinet as head Of the War
Department. President Hoover appoint
ed him Governor General of the Philip
pines in 1929. That service ended in
1882.
Now 81 years DID, Mr.. Davis in his new
position will be able to organize ard
supervise the war work of men. who like
himself, have been barred from combat
service because of the Army's physical
standards