davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
POSTER CONTEST STARTS
Men Start Glider Training
With Staff Sergeant Ratings

All men who start glider pilot
training at one OF the country S
~ glider pilot schools will i'm
nlediately be given s,aff Sergeants
ratings with flying pay, excepting
those men OF the higher non-com-
rnissioned grades who win retain
their status, Mai. James H. Bing-
ham, Executive, ST.. announced
today in revealing that a number
of Keesler Field men have al
ready qualified for this training.
Previously Staff Sergeant ratings
and flying pay were given only
to men who successfully COM
pIeted the six-week glider course.
Recently the War Department
announced that selected graduates
of Army Air Forces glider schools
viii be Offered commissions as
Second Lieutenants in the Army
OF the United States.
Officer appointments viii be
based on the candidates demon
strstion of qualities of leadership,
judgment, force and discipline.
Keesler Field men who failed
to pass the screening test for
Aviation Cadets now may qualify
for glider training school. Those
who met the physical require
ments for cadets, who are between
the ages of 18 TO 35 inclusive and
who scored 65 or better on the
No. lob Aviation Cadet qualify
ing examination, now being used,
or rs or better on the No. 10-A
test, are eligible. These scores are
Is points less in each instance
than the passing mark required
for Aviation Cadet candidates.
Soldiers here are urged to enter
this new and growing branch OF
the Army Air Forces. Men who
possess the necessary qualifica-
tions are TO report any afternoon
TO the Post Personnel Office.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
It's Lieut..
Mckinley.
Not Corporal

From Corporal to Second Lleu-
tenan, IS quite a jump all IN a
single day, but md Il John d.
Mckinley. new Plans ard Train
ing officer az AAFrs nsadquaT-
tegs. knows how 4 fsela-eve1 II
II did leave him = little brsathiess.
Two weeks ago Lieutenant Nc
klnley was an enlisted man. a
Corporal. q supervisor In the Test
Blocks. lie had been a. Keraler
Field a. an instructor since No.
yeniber. Then one day came word
Of his commission and the next
day he was seated behind = desk,
pair OF gold bars on his shoul-
ders.
a former attorney al Evanston,
Ill, Lieutenant Mckinley already
had graduated from Northwestern
University and been commission
ed in the ROTC there before en-
listing IN the Army in JanYsry.
1871. After applying for Air Me-
ehanica Training. he was sent 70
Chanuic Fiold, H., where he grad
uated from AM school lie then
became an instructor and cams
here shortly after Ksesler Flick
was established.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
ANS Story
On Air at 7
Thursday

'Frec for All" a one-hslf hour
variety broadcast over radio sta
ton WWL. New Orleans, present.
ed By the Public Relations Office.
win emanate from War Depart
meni Theatre No tomorrow
night, from z 70 7.3p.
Streaslng the importance Of
keeping America Free for All"
the. program viii feature the life
OF PVT. George A. Wall, the John
Doe of Keezlcr Field, and his
transformation into a graduate
Air Mechanic.
The program VIII also present
S. Sgt. Russell Sessions, and the
Post Air Force Band. with the
voice Of Sgt Bruce Monson. Pfc.
David SackEon, concert gioiinist.
and Corp. Harry Churchill, accom-
panylng pianist.
Narration will be by Corp. Don
Barber and Pfc. Merle Miller,
Public Relations Office
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
Field div
Passes First
Birthday

There were no CAKES or can-
dies, no paper hats, horns or fan
fare. There was only = grim de-
termination % continue keeping
EN- flying as Kecsier Field OBJ
served It's first birthday last
week.
I. was Just a year age last We'd
nesday that It. Col. Samuel A.
Manaell, Pest Administrative IN
Speetor. arrived In Biloxi . take
acting command Of a golf course,
country club, ball park, Boy
Scout camp and Naval Reserve
Park mass OF sWampy wood
land which was destined, in less
than = years time. 10 become the
greatest Army Air Forces Tech
nieal School in the country.
Il was the first Air Corps
officer 10 arrive" said Col
onel Mundell. There was
nothing here that even re-
semhled a camp. | played golf
on the old course shortly after
getting here"
Two days later a oadre OF q
enlisted men came 70 Biloxi and
was qusriered In the Boy Scout
camp. The following day, June
l3, 1871. l25 civilian workmen
begin clearing away he brush
and trees so construction could
begin on the new school.
Sen. Claude Pepper (D-Fia.D
visiting Keesler Field Friday,
made this statement,
4 made my first visit 20 Keesler
abant year ago. Ground was
just beng broken and here and
there were a few scattered build-
ings. Where a year ago ] nigh,
have expected 10 find an sggre-
CATION of civilians, today | find a
real Army. This Field IS a tribute
TO American enterprise and our
ability FOR getting things done"
The almost unbelievable growth
of Keesier Field during the first
year of its existence can be seen
in the vast amount OF completed
construction and It's record OF
progress.
Within a few months after
ground was first broken, students
were beginning the study Of Air
Mechanics. BY February, with
America at war, II was ready to
graduate its first class. Since
then, thousands OF airplane me-
ehanies, qualified TO perform the
important task OF maintaining
warplanes on the line, have COM
pleted the course here and have
departed for active duty.
Keesler's expansion did not
stop there, however. Its huge
Replacement Training Center
classifies thousands of new
men according 10 skill and
ability, and gives them their
basic drill.
In addition, new schools have
been established 10 train men in
weather observation, radio ano
clerical work.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
Safety
- -
Campaign
Starts Here

A widespread safety campaign,
directed against al accidents due
. csreleSsness, was launched al
keezler Field today on instrue-
iions from Mai. Gen. Walter r.
Weaver, Commanding General Of
the Army AR Forces Technical
Training Command
Groundwork for the extensive
drive was started nearly two
weeks ago BY the Puoiic Rela-
tIoas Office. Plans - conduct .
safety slogan contest wsE-- drawn
ID and work on a series Of safe
y posters, 70 be placed in various
buildings OF me ATS, was be-
gun by Pfc. Paul 5. Snyder. artist
for The Keesler Field News. in
collaboration with NJ. Sgt. Oscar
z. Wesley, Asst Principal In
structor in the ATS.
The instructions received from
AAFTTC Headquarters as Knoll
wood Field, \. C.. stated: "Avia-
ton in itself IS not inherently
DANGEROUS, but, TO even
greater extent than the sea, is un-
remittingly unforgiving Of CARE
LESSNESS."
POSTER CONTEST STARTS
Steps will be taken 10 have
that reminder prominently dis
played in all hangers, shops.
elzssrooms and barracks.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations
Office announced the beginning
of a poster and slogan contest,
IN which all Keesler Field men
are urged to participate. Slogans
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17

ing put him with q group detailed
10 strike tents.
Thatil do for a starter, be said
10 himself, and swung aboard the
warehouse truck as Il was pulling
out. BY the time ne Ia. loaded
tao trucks with mess supplies,
Roe noticed that me original group
0f 20 PP-crs mad snnlnk TO 10
They're probably off some
where grabbing all the hard Jobs" I"
Rookie Roe grumbled. I'D better
get on the ball"
Snatching UP broom, Roe was
of for Tent City, sweeping gut
lers as ne sped along. Once he
missed part OF a scattering Of
pebbles and had 70 circumnavir
gate a whole block 70 clean up
the situation. But ne got 20 the
tents and knocked down q half
dozen.
Then back 70 the warehouse,
leaving nice clean cutters behind
him enroute. Back and forth ne
vent, It was a wonderful morning,
For a while. dsy followed busy
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
Band Plans
To Increase
Size to 70

The Post Air Force Band mas
been granted permission to in
crease its strength to 70, it was
revealed today. In addition 70 the
present 48-man marching band,
3I-piece drum and bugle corps,
with 10 drums, a cymbal and 20
bugles will march at all formal
revues and other major functions.
The corps Will march alone at
many other events.
Buglers who are interested in
joining the corps, and who are
not eligible for school, have been
asked to contact Charles A. Wolf.
band Warrant Officer.
The newly organized seven
piece orchestra, under Corp. Rob
ert Sloan, is now performing regu-
larry at Officers Club dances and
various squadron functions Ar
rangements for the band are writ
ten by Sgt. William Leon and
Alex Poskonka, Of the Post Air
Force Dance Band.
Pfc. Ralph Melendez, a native
OF Puerto Rico, who is forming the
12-piece Conga band, originally
led a similar organization in New
York City. Known as "Don Ra-
phaei and His Orchestra" they
played enga gements in such wen
known spots as the Waldorf-AB-
toria Hotel. La Conga, Havana
Madrid, Fl Merocco. and the Stork
Club. Private Melendez. who plays
both trumpet and guitar. has been
IN show business for the past 10
years. He plans 10 feature not only
Conga music, but also tsngos,
rhumbzs, and the conventional
fox trots and waltzes.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
In Cash
You're Worth
lo7 Japs

Private Joe is going TO feel pret-
ty good the first time he Grams a
wad of bills in his pocket under
the new pay schedule, and not
just because of the extra spend
ing money he has.
No. Private Joe Is going 10
get a big kick out of the
thought that in cash money
he's worth l67 Japs TO Uncle
Sam.
It's a fact. Private Joe is now
making $50 a month while Jap
privates are making 80 centsi And
Pfc. John Dough viii collect $54,
as compared TO the Jap PIES 43
cents. Corporal Doaks can pocket
his S66 and sneer at Corporal
Yamashito who collects only 81
cents. And even the Jap Master
Sergeant, with his S513. has TO
take a back seat when Master Ser
geant Smith receives his S138.
Still, Private Joe isn't the best
paid soldier in the world. His
comrades-in-arms, the Aussies, 20
him one better. The Australian
Private earns S62.10 a month, their
Corporais s9420 and their Master
Sergeants Sl41.60
The German army is paid on a
scale closer to the old American
scale. Their Privates get S21.60,
Pies $1,000, and Corperals, S47.4s.
II Duce's men don't fare so well
-Privates get S1.50, the Pics get
10-cent raise, Corpora1s earn
from s1.85 to S2.21, and Master
Sergeants can collect as much as
S29.51.
Other countries pay their men
on the following scale:
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17

Radio School
Opens Here

A new advanced Radio Opera
ler1 school with = nucleus Of Il
experienced raalo-msn started on
the field today in addition 10 the
Basic Radio Operators School
which opened ioss than a month
aTo. The new scaeol viii give a
Tour 10 six weeks course in Army
Air Forces code and procedure,
School offlccrs said that the
soldiers successfully completing
this course under 1t Col John c.
Covington. Post Communications
officer. VIII be eligible for posi-
lions as station airwsss supervi-
6orz, maintenance supervisors,
control tower operators and other
hIeh-rating radio posts In the
service. The course Is open 70
men with commercial radio back
ground or other comparable radio
experience.
The basic radio school Tor be-
ginners IN the field started here
less than a month ago. s, SGT
William X. Thomas, chief ingirue-
Tor FOR the basic school, win serve
as chief instructor FOR the adj
vanced class The course viii be
in Hangar as Is the basic
course.
End II. William 7. Sehuster, As
sistani Post Communications Of
fieer. said that these enlisted
men, many with considerable ex-
periencc as professional radio
men, Will start the advanced
course pvts. George =. Donahue.
Robert A. Caudy, Jack l. Msekey
Roscoe Daniels. William r Amls,
Jones w. Pattlnson, Allen r.
Salm. Roy =. Beverly, Winfield w
Beeeher Ted r. Quick, Paul r
Cline. Robert w. psylon. Harry
Steinbcrg and Laurence c. VIII
llams.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
New Tunes
Feature
Az R Shows

The introduction OF two newly
composed tunes by Pvt. John Sac
co, and the refreshingly clever
and diversified talents Of Pvt Ds-
vid Steiniger. together with the
vocal and dancing abilities OF the
lovely Misses Peggy MacNeil.
Honora BanYille and Marguerite
Mattina highlighted last weeks
A and r Office entertainment pre-
sentations. Units Of talent were
divided ameng the various shows
Private Steiniger, master OF
ceremonies, vocalist, comedian
and dancer was the most popular
entertainer on the bill.
Pvt. John Ademy, basso, iniro-
duced Private Sacco's eomposl-
tions, reading "A Slow Manhattan
Waltz directly from the original
manuscript. sSing, Sing, Sing
(Sing So They Can Hear You"
written in collaboration with Ger
ard Van Loon, had just been pub
lshed.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
BY PVT. ARTHUR WRIGHT

Rookie Roe mas a new hobby-PP.
standing at the ends OF lines" he
says. "is fun, but when It comes to Post
Police, want 10 be right up front
His first sauntef over 70 PIP head-
quarters found Rookie Roe In his ae-
cusiomed place-bringlng UP the rear.
As more and more eheery PI-ers ar
rived, Roe moved back and back. II
was more than an hour before. the non.
CONS and puzhers ste their way down
the long, long line 70 The last handful Of
patient fatiguers and impatient Rookie
Roe
sorry. men. No more work today,
zpoIogixed the PIP sortsr. Run off 70
the Service Club and enjoy yourselves.
Rookie Roe was very sad. He vowed
that this wouldn't happen 70 him again.
He'd even make an exception and stand
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
drawing for The AN school
and the cartoon booklet on
life al keesler Field


and the cartoon booklet on
Life at Keesier Field"
What's that you're drawing
now2"
ooh. that's a earicsture OF my
SELF
"Flattering yourself. huhq And
while we're on the subject. why
do ! have 10 be called HUBERT
Couldn't you have named me
somhing elseYn
Well, maybe. But you know,
Hubert Matthew, whose feature
Spot Your Plane ran In The
Keesler Field News for whiief
Well. that's who you were named
for You see, just before got
into the Army last February | was
planning your creation.
Matty asked me what I'D call you.
Since Matty Is 50 tall and slender.
I thought his first name would
suit you fine
Typical reasoning for you,
Snyder. Say, how long have you
been drawing2"
Ever since ! was about your
size, Hubert"
Did you ever 90 70 school or
continued on pare fourl
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
Alb Trainer
Built of PIywood

Acceptance Of a new multi-en-
CINE crew training plane, known
as the AT-l3, has been announc-
ed. II is a cantilever midwing
monoplane Of duramond plywood
construction, built by the Airplane
Division of the Fairchild Air
plane and Engine Corp.
The planes gross weight IS H.
600 pounds and its wing span
about 50 feet. It has a tricycle.
retractable landing gear and its
two-spar wings are plywood COW
cred, utilizing trailing edge flaps.
The ship may be used for training
OF crews of four or six men and
includes facilities for the in
struetion of pilot, bombardier,
navigator, gunner and radio OPP
orator.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17

Next day ne led his flight %
PIP. with the first Is IN line he
vas dispatched BY truck over the
rocky road 10 the dump. Nine
men got there-Roe among them
and went to work fia.tening Tin
cans. This vas great sport, with
infinite variety. Every can posed
. new engineering problem for
Roe's nlmbie mind. The tnper-
reptiDle breeze waited very per
cepflble menu Of odorz.
Since one PIP assignment could
be 80 much fun, Roe mused,
wouldn't Il be all the more fun
-. but they wouldn't allow that
no vel, no harm 70 try.
HE LEADS AGAIN
So came the morrow and Rookie
Roe was way out in front again.
Assigned 70 the first detail. ne
managed BY clever espionage 70
learn that II was going 70 the
warehouses. Then he sneaked
back into the PIP Line. Again he
was assigned. this time to gutter
swssp4ng contingent. A third sort
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
ROOKIE ROE
The Pusher's Delight Comes to the Fore

day for Rookie Roe. he took on
every kind Of io6 PIP mad 70 offer
several at time. Then came q
day Of bitter disillusionment.
Al PIP one sunny afternoon Roe
was standing at ease In the van
guard, scneeming 70 handle more
than SIX details al once and there
by break his own record. There
was some delay in starting the
sorting. Suddenly from some
where-Dut not from PIP office
there appeared a soldier dress
ed, Ike Roe, IN faugces.
First uFnptecn naen, ten
SHUNi" ordered the newcomer.
Calling right. HARCH.v Out to-
ward the air field they went,
marching in military manner.
Across the dusty desert OF con-
struction they marched. keeping
on alert. "caliph's countls shout
ed the fuehrer in fatignes. and
me detail did. To the left, plank
to the right plank to the
reari 70 the rear and
they did.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
PHOTO CONTEST POSTPONED

The Chamber Of Commerce pho
tography contest has been post
poned from June 25 to July %.
it was announced today by the
Biloxi WPA Camera Club. The
contest IS being held 10 select the
best black and white pictorial
scenes Of Biloxi.
Contestants may submit their
entries, mounted on lBx20 mats,
to Miss Ethel Dismukes, president
Of the club, in the Biloxi Central
Community House.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
Officers Club
Events Popular

Monthly formal dinner dances,
dance classes Wednesday, after
noon luncheons and family dinner
nights are among the most popu-
lar activities sponsored by the
Keesler Field Officers Club, S.
Sgt. Vincent Caulfieid. Club Stew
ard. announces.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
Burke Dies

Pvt. Joseph R. Burke, "a. 5eth
Air Base So, died last Thursday
in the Station Hospital Of hem
orrhage. He was admitted 10 the
hospital June 6. He was on de-
tached service from Maxwell
Field, Ala. and was attending
radio school here. His parents.
sIr. and Mrs. Joseph Burke, Fair
field, Me, arrived shortly before
his death.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17

Pvt FrAai Dirle enjoys ihesdis-
tinction Of having introduced old
fashioned GoulaSh and potato pan.
cakes 10 the Officers Club.
Private Dirle. q native OF Efse-
lind, in old Austria-Hungary, Is
the son OF a former chef az the
famous Delmonico's In New York
City. As a child. he took an in
terest in food preparation, learn
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17

A formal parry and dane Wih
be gwen - he Biloxi uSo Cub
June = hy members ef Eas l1th
graduating class Of ne keesier
Field AlFpiane Mechanics School.
Aosi of the members - the slass
are attached 10 ne 7q7fh Teen
Sc. sq.
Admission viii Be By lnsfsatloa
oaly. More shan 500 eoanles ags
expected - attend re affair.
which WI - held from : pm.
until midnight. Special nassss va
be lASued. allowing tacsu altersd-
ira o resnain or ass Pei after
regular earfcw hours Soldiers
may bring dates. bni must havs
invitations Tor them. Tickets and
invitations may be Obtained fra-n
PVT Charles Nlthman. enairrnan
of tte party commit aarrNck
Z, 9o7fh Teen, Sc. Sa.
Among ne features Of ne party
VIII be Music By ne Past Air
Force Dance Band. under 5. SGT
Russell Sessions. a complete floor
show, and several skis. free ~
frezhments will be served.
The party" Privas~ Ntihn,an
declared. - being dedicated to
The yeuaE ladies a.f BiloxI. Cult
port fs>eaxoaIa and neighhorinr
towns. In appreciation Of the en-
tert@inmeni and dswrnlasa they
have Offered nsemberr ~ IN.
class"
This announcement last week
from school officers, acting on or
ders OF Col Robert r. II. Cool
rick. School Comnnandant, wAr
coupled with the abrupt eaneella-
ton Of me exercises for tsae 10th
graduating class which Ind been
scheduled for Friday morning.
School officers pointed out that
with tae stappcd-up assignment of
yitslly-needed mechanics % vide
" scattered posts only one-eizhsh
of The number Of graduates wonld
have been on hand to receive their
diplomas at that ceremony.
MECHANICS NEEDED
Decision to omit formal ever
cifes for an ladsfinils time was
viewed as another indication OF
the determination OF the United
Nations military ehisftsins 10 spare
no effort 10 speed the alignment OF
their fighting forcsa for a knock
out blow against Axis foes. The
decision also rs-crnpssss.1ed ths
major roie that sirplans mechanics
thousands of whom Kee<lsr
Field has tnrned OFT IN rscsn'
months cxpectexi "a NAV 4
ffbc m4for war nsoves pfnnnG6
The graduates OF each AN class
still viii receive their diplomas
signay1ng successful cosnpietion
Of the Intensive ig-wssks courss
but will receive them a. AAFTS
Headquarters without formal Ger
emonies.
Then without fanfare ne ma.
iority OF the graduates viii be
shipped to their cline duty posts
TO maintain and service me war
planes with which tho United Ma
tons are seeking victory-lhruugh
victory IN the air. And without
these skilled ground specialists,
high military officers have point
ed out, there can be no victory in
the air.
NINTH MISSED. TOO
The first formal graduation hero
was Feb. 27 when 1t. Col. William
p. Sloan at eolorful ceremonies in
conjunction with the formal de-
dication Of Kecsler Field told the
hundreds OF AM graduates now
vital would be their role In win
ming this war.
Formal exercises marked the
completion Of study and training
for seven subsequent classes num-
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17

and ideas for illustration, as we'll
as completed posters, viii be sub
nitted TO the Public Relations
Office beginning today. These
posters should be designed to
stress the Importance Of sbsolu;e
perfection in precision work.
SAFETY PARAMOUNT
Every accident due 10 me-
chanleal failure decreases the
striking power Of the Air Forces -
the communication from Knoll
wood stated. Avoidance OF pre-
rentable accidents. therefore, be-
comes a paramount duty OF every
officer and enlisted man in the
Technical Training Command
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
JEWISH CHOIR PLANNED

Chaplain Sidney Ballon Is form
ing a Jewish choir for bis 5ess-
ices. All men VINO can sing are
asked to attend the first meeting
in Recreation Hall ~ Tuesday,
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17

make 1t \ real ail-Ameriezn
team
Major johnson served with the
i03rd Engineers al Indiantown
Gap, Pa, the same battalion and
regiment with which he served in
in lei7-ls. He had en-
listed as q private and served IN
every grade excepi that os Pfc.
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
Urgent Calls To Duty
End Graduations

To facilitate the speedy transfer u highly ytreiued apanN
hanc Keser Fed ciasruos the fighting
Air The line formal graduation An
fur N udainte period
The Keesler field news., 1942-06-17
Don't precipitale ms pre-
ezutionary commands" he sd-
monishsd. and they didn't

Finally the desert was behind
them and they were IN the sha-
dow Of the tail sturdy oaks. Il
was cool here and quiet, but Roe
didn't see any TIN cans 70 flatten.
There were benches TO sit on and
tables 70 write on, out Roe didn't
see any cutters 70 sweep. There
was even an unused pavilion, and
the ground dropped down to a
sandy beach, cooled by breezes off
Back Bay-but Roe didn't see
any tents TO strike.
Detail, HALT holiorcd ne
leader. Diagnostiesffy. DTS-
PERSEt"
Everyone in the detail scattered
except Rookie Roe He ssood
thsrs qsEss . whiis. thinking