davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
USO Program
Repaying
Contributors

Last June Americans pledged
sl4.3e5,16l TO the United Service
Organization to carry out . po-
gram designed to service the spir-
itual, recreationai, welfare and So
cial needs OF the men and women
in the Armed Forces, camp areas.
overburdened communities and
vital war industries.
Today, more than 100000 peo-
pie are monthly attending the
functions at the 407 clubhouses and
1853 smaller units the USO has set
up. USO is serving soldiers on man.
euvers, troops in transit and men
on detached duty. They have,
through Camp Shows, Inc, put "a
shows, more than $50 name bands,
and scores OF Broadway and Hol-
lywood entertainers on the ser
vice circuits Of 225 camps and
bases.
In January, together with the
American Library Association and
the American Red Cross. they
launched the Victory Book Cam
psign. Already $500, 900 books
have been collected and over L.
000, 900 distributed.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Control Tower
Operation
To Begin Soon

The Koesler Field control tow
er, one oi the most modern and
best equipped air field control sta
tons IN the United States, will soon
be tn fuil operation. 2nd 1t Gilt
ner Twist Officer in Charge, said
this week. Complete permanent
equipment viii be installed within
the next few weeks.
The tower. enclosed with bite
glare-proof glass, commands all
approaches 10 the Field, Obserya-
tion is unlimited in all directions
Inside the tower, equipment To
be installed will include radio sets
for establishing contact with in
coming planes. A special recording
device will be Installed 10 make
permanent records OF important
messages received BY radio Whip
gpe antennaS will be installed to
provide weather reception.
An inter-phone system is 10 be-
provided to give constant contact
with the Keesler Field Operations
Office and with the Mobile All
Depot In Mobile.
Structural work on the toWe
itself has been completed and tn
bower room wired for The install
stion Of all necessary apparatus.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
FormerFerry
Officer For
RAFOn Field

a former first officer in the Air
Transport Auxiliary branch of the
Royal Air Force, where he ferried
pursuits and bombers from English
aircraft factories 70 combat bases,
Pvt August (Gus) Michelsou.
305 Tech. Sc. So, had been an
active flier for IS years before
joining the Army Air Corps.
In enabsttled Britain, when shat
island was being blitzed by the
Luftwsffe and when Royal Air
Force pilots were going aloft with
out sleep for days st a time, Pr.-
vste Nicholson has flown the latest
types Of English planes. including
Spitflres, Hurricanes, Airspeed Ok
fords and Bristol Blenheirns. For
his services with the ATA he
received $3.50 q month.
Before enlbarking for he Brit
ish Isles. Private Micheison spent
some time =, the Royal Cansdian
Air Forces twin-en zined and IN
strument training school al Nation
Airport. Toronto. He arrived IA
England In January, ie41, and
stayed there for six months. He
estimates that during that time ne
shuttied more than 50 planes over
the country.
An old transformer who at one
time toured me country with
Douglas Wrong Way CorriEan.
Private Nicholson said that he mas
logged approximately 1880 flying
hours. he has flown for flying
circuses and crop busting and sky
writing concerns.
In 1885 and 1887 Private Mich
eis0n vas IN Central America help
ing 70 organize the air forces Of
Nicaragua and Honduras. He left
Honduras In he latter part Of 1887
and returned 70 this country where
he reentered the sirplane adver-
Using business. Al one time he
also operated an airport at Cos
ackie, N. Y.
Before MS entrance into ne
Army Air Corps ne operated an
overhaul and maintenance shop at
Keyport, ~ j., and was preparing
70 90 TO Ecuador 70 help organize
the air force there. He signed .
contract with that country in jan
uary, 1912. but could not leave
the United States because o. the
Seleetive Service Act.
Private Nicholson, licensed
engine mechanic, said ne has never
had serious sirplsne accident in
his IS years Of flying. His one
ambition now Il 70 get IN the ferry
sarvics OF the Army Ar Fnrcea
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Live Steam Used
To SteriIixe
Mess Equipment

Many times at moss you've piek-
ed up a cup and IT'S nearly burned
your hand There Is reason for
that, and = very good one.
Those cups, as well as trays and
have just been run
through q Jet Of live steam heated
70 temperature OF l80 70 200 de-
grees
This precautIon has kept cases Of
Vineents disease ttfench MOUTH
10 less than one per thousand at
Keeslcr Field. according 10 MAJ
Charles p. Macdonald. In charge
Of Dental Clinic No l. Il has un-
doubiedly played a large part in
our record OF no major epidcmiea
on the field, he said.
During the last war, trench
mouth was a major silment. Some
times 35 In 300 men we're infected
because OF the shortage Of fuel u
France 70 sterlllze eating equip
ment, Major Mcdonald revealed
Walls. ovens. pots and pans
sinks and mixing apparatus arr
sterilized by . live steam JET from
. hose.
Foods and meats are varied ae-
cording TO season. Nov that sum-
mer Is coming on, no fresh pork
viii be served and little canned
foods. General Mess officials said.
Instead an added amount Of fresh
or frozen fruits and vegetables will
be served.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Exams for AN
Ratings Planned
For June !

Examinations for airplane me-
chanics seeking to retain or to
qualify for AM ratings will be
given at Keesler Field June /, II
was announced today.
All persons holding AM ratings,
first or second class, must take the
examinations once every year in
vrder to retain their standing.
Those who passed the tests in De-
cember will not be required TO
take them again, but may do so il
they wish to improve their grades
and advance from second 10 first
class grades.
Examinations will be given to
cover every course offered by the
ACTTC, but it is recommended
that ACTS graduates who have
never taken specialists training
should apply only for the general
AM tests.
Applications for the exams must
be submitted to the sirplane me-
chanic's immediate commanding
officer not later than noon, April
%.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Reserves May
Seek Office

Members Of the reserve eompon-
ens Of the Army Of the United
States National Guard, Reserve
Officers and Selecfive Service SOL
diersl may be candidates for, and
may hold political offices, the War
Department has announced.
Personnel Of the Regular Army,
however, may not do so under any
circumstances under provisions Of
Army Regulations.
Participation by members OF the
Reserves or Of any branch Of the
Army OF the United States in po-
Iiticai activities viii be approved
only within the discretion Of the
War Department All such cases
must be submitted individually TO
the War Department for action.
II such person can accomplish
the necessary campaign by taking
ordinary leave due him, and II MS
election and occupancy Of ciyil Of
flee will not interfere with mis-
military duties. fbe War Ipart-
meni viii consider exemptinE him
from compliance with pertinent
Army regulations
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Every State
Represented
NAM Class

With he roar Of American war
planes growing steadily louder
above the worlds ba.tlefelds, sew
eral hundred keesler Field soldiers
today we're graduated from the Ar
Corps Technical School here.
pledging themselves 70 the task Of
keeping those warplsnex roaring
until the last enemy ship Is driven
from the skies.
Qualified as sirplans mechanics
after completing q comprehensive
ls-week training course in al
phases OF air mechanics, today 5
graduates were reminded Of their
duty by 1t Col Leon h. Brown
field. Station Technical Inspector,
who delivered the graduation ad-
dress. Exercises were held si War
Department Theatre No. l.
Every stale IN the Union vas
represented in the class, the fifth
10 be trained al this Air Mechanics
school New York. the home stale
Of So OF the youths, barely over
shadowed farsway California,
which boasted IS graduates. There
we're 4e Pennsylvanians. II was
announced az the exercises that
some members OF the class were
presented diplomas in special
ceremony last week and are al
ready ON duty at other air fields.
One Of the latter was the 307
Tech. Sc. So s Pvt. Joseph S. Dob
son, a 35-year-old soldier with
only one year Of high school train
ing, whose grades for the air
school course averaged 92.l per
cent, one OF the highest marks
ever attained in the history of the
school.
Capt. William (. Rentz, secretary
Of the ACTS, presented the dip
omss. He was assisted by John W.
Sander, Senior Civilian Instructor
OF the Aircraft Structure Branch.
Capt Phillip w. Hutton, ACTS
Director Of Training, presided
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
sun B u RN
By cAPr. NATHAN BOTWIN.

The suicide" again "Iobserncaton"
the skin proceeding schedule II always surprising
how apparently intelligent people believe that
production Of second degree burns Of the skin healthy
The Rht minor under
Of with tendency ricketts, sunlight
prophyactic for that disease
Fortunately have soldiers field nor do
The only other effects of the drying
the skin and initiation of slowly
Adonises.
The Medical Department Of Keeer Yield urgent
request the soldiers 70 moderation their exposure
Mississippi is blessed with strong
April to November During that time those
slowly roast ourselves 10 that desirable color.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Gulf Park
.ShoWHere.
OnApril27

A WHY paess. sfl-Erl muv-
al reFev featuring soafs. TAP.
soft Ehoe ana 6sl'es dancing and
instrument numbers. Ru be
staged n waf Department Thea
ire NJ |, B.ask a. Monday. April
=. rlaeFs VIII be performances a.
80. ? and l03o o'elock.
me production east and staged
by students and instructors Of
Cult PARK Junior College Cuff
port alil be froe
Corr. Russell Sessions aud The
Post Ar Force Dance Bend VII
play A chorus Of . girls WI
present several songs. and lead
ne soldiers ia community singing.
Las night and Monday. US0
Camp Shows presented Thumbs
Up. musical eoulsdS revue, lea-
turirE 6lnra Grafton and Claude
Stroud.
The lovely Miss Grafton singing
ssar Of Broadway and circuit
show. and Gloria Brewster led
the aggregation through a rhy thmle
revue ,hat spotlghtcd Linda
Moody, dancer Jim and Mildred
Mulcay Grace Drysdale, and the
II Milray dancers, n varied rou-
tines
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Surgeons Wear
Flight Insignia

Col. Robert J. Plat, Post Sur
seon, 1t. Col Raymond D. Hen
derson. Hospital Executive OFF,
Ger, Mai. Jacob J. Spencer, Medi-
cal Inspector, and Capt. George A.
Peck, Chief Flight Surgeon, will
soon wear the recently authorized
insignia OF flight surgeons, gold
Medical Corps Cadnceus superim-
posed on the standard silver com
bat observers wings.
Flight surgeons are medical Of
ficers who attended the School OF
Aviation Medicine. Randolph Field,
Tex, and who are specially train
ed 10 examine svistors.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Easter Packages
Double Normal
Figure Here

Keesler Field postal employees
didn't join the Easter parade
They were busy handling the
greatest influx Of mail in Keesler
Field history, according 10 Z. V.
Shove, Keesler Field postmaster
Parcel post packages from home"
were 100 per cent above normal
over the two-dsy Easter weekend.
Mr.. Shove said the total mail
received here during March was
nearly Is per cent above the Feb
ruary total Since the postage-free
law went into effect, outgoing
mail has increased by several hum
dred letters q day.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Health of Men
Here Guarded
BY Inspectors

To locate and report anything
that might impair the health Of
tae enlisted men Is the duty of the
Keesler Fieli's Medical Inspector.
Maj. Jacob J. Spencer. Assisted
BY a staff of enlisted inspectors
he deyotes all bis time 70 checking
the food, clothing. water and bar
racks provided for the men ne e.
Either Major Spencer or his as
sisisai, Pvt Howas5 Lenks Medi-
cal Detachment, aspects the osr-
racks each day. An insect control
squad of eight rzn Is being cr-
canned.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15

les, Eusl J. Landry and Howard
@. Williams. Lieutenant Hawken
is assisted BY fst 1t. W. T Pack
wood, Jr., and Ind Lts. ". p. Mur-
phy and Ned P. King. Jr.
One Of the primary functions Of
the two sections, as explained by
Lieutenant Thomas, IL 10 take the
paper work away from the squad
ron commanders.T
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Red Cross To Dedicate Hospital Unit

BED Cross activities a. the Sta-
ton Hospital are now under wsy
win certain parts Of the Red
Cross RereaH0naI building al
ready beng used by ne patients.
Formal opening and dedication Of
the building. Al which Col Robert
J. Platt. Post Surgeon, VII be prin-
eipal speaker, vii be held in The
near future. Louis IS. Link. Red
Cross Fed Director, said this
week
Ths Commanding Officer Of the
Field viii De the guest Of honor
and addresses VIII be made by 1t
Co.'s. Harry =. Smalley, Post Den
tsl Surgeon. Raymond D. Hender-
son, Hospital Executive Officer,
and Anthony NJ. Tripod, Chief Of
Surgical Service. Capt Sanford
II. Hamilton. Hospital Adjutant
and lst 1t. Anna n. johnson, Chief
Nurse.
WILL INSPECT HOSPITAL
Refreshments viii be served by
the Keesler Field Auxiliary and
the Biloxi Red Cross Motor Corps.
City officials and Red Cross lead
ers Of nearby towns will attend.
Following the ceremonies the
guests viii inspect the hospital
Directing activities al the hos
pital are Mrs. Frankie Tyrrell,
assistant Red Cross Field Director
in charge Of the hospital, and Mrs.
Ruth Freshour, Red Cross social
worker, both Of whom arrived
last week. They are distinguished
by a gray uniform with the Red
Cross emblem on one lapel and the
initials. "A. R. c. on the other.
The Red Cross Reereationsl
building IS equipped with living
quarters for the staff, rooms for
the parents Of seriously i'll pa
tents. a library and a large audi
torium where first run movies will
be shown three times a week and
where stage shows by soldiers and
amateur groups will be given.
GAMES, BOOKS PROVIDED
A large number Of games and
books are available for patients
and many more are expected. Pa
tents confined 10 their beds will
be supplied with games, books
from the library, and radios. Free
cigarets will be furnished.
The Red Cross social worker will
handle the patients personal prob
lens. The Camp and Hospital
Council Committee headed by
Frank Bowes and composed of rep
resentatives Of civic organizations,
are furnishing many of the games
and books and some Of the furni-
turs for the building.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Medics Praise
Fields Health

The health OF Keesler Field SOL
diers is exceptionally good, with
a surprisingly low number Of cases
Of colds, influenza, pneumonia and
measles, Ii. Col Raymond D.
Henderson Hospital Inspector. re-
veaied this week.
The Surgeon General recently
reported that the general health OF
the Army during the past winter
was approximately so per cent
better than for the same period
a year ago.
Colonel Henderson credited the
excellent health here 10 well ven
tilsted barracks, proper spacing OF
beds, well balanced diet, and the
wholesome exercises and smuse-
nents provided Keesler Field SOL
diers.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Post Movie
Schedules


To allow more Keesler Field
men to attend the second shows at
both War Department theatres
here, movie schedules were NOV
ed ahead last Saturday Maj. A.
L. Shoemaker, Post Theatre and
Special Services Officer, announc-
ed. The new schedule win con-
unue until further notice.
Movies at Post Theatre No.
viii begin at 6 and 3 pm, on week
days and al Post Theatre No. 2 at
$50 and 800 pm. IN Sundays,
showings at Theatre No ] will be
AT 2. and s and pm. and al
No. At 2:30, 4.30. $50 and $50
p, m.
All shows are limited 10 mill
tsry personnel Of the Field.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Medics Study
Oxygen Tents

Officers, nurses and enlisted
men OF the station hospital are re-
eeivinF instruction in the opera
lion Of oxygen tents, Capt. Sanford
II. Hamilton. Hospital Adiutant,
announced yesterday.
The Instructions are directed by
s Sgt. Mckinley P. Csssada. Med
cal Detachment, and Il Is ex-
9ected that by the end Of the
month all hospital personnel VIII
qualify as oxygen tent operators
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
GET NEW DUTIES

Mai. Abram L. Shoemaker has
been named Keesler Field Spe-
cial Services Officer, succeeding
Capt. Raymond L. Wheeler, who
was app inted Assistant Super
visor, Third Provisional Group.
Major Shoemaker viii continue
ss Post Theatre Officer.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Pvt. Joes' Lives Fill Two Rec Halls

No one may ever take the trou-
bic 10 write q biography on Pvt.
Joe Doaks after he leaves the
Army, but as long as ne remains
a soldier, comprehensive chron-
illogical history Is kept OF prac-
tieslly everything that happens 10
him in the Line Of service.
II he takes typhoid shot, or
changes squsdrons, or II he goes
AWOL and is convicted before a
court martial q notation must be
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15

y inserted on the record n time
% accompany him.
Heading all this vork as sssif-
lznt Post personal adiutants are
Capt. James ". Thomas, OIC
0, Section I, and Isl Il. c. W.
Hawken. OIC of Section T. These
men work directly under Major
Augustus Minton, Assistant S-l
Assisting Lieutenant Thomas in
hiE section are lst Il. K l. Know
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15


function OF his ever-busy depart
neni.
"And we say our s1ello's' and
'goodbyes' the clock around. Trains
arrive at odd hours OF the day and
we have TO be ready to meet them.
At times we have worked "a
hours at stretch"
when train arrives with a con-
tingent of new men It's our Job 10
assign them to squadrons and
flights" Lieutenant Giering con-
tinued. "and also to see that their
service records are delivered 70
the proper squadron personnel Of
fices. When men become available
for transfer to . new post, we ar
range for their transportation and
the transfer OF their lugsage. and
for commissioned and non-com-
missioned officers 70 accompany
them
The receiving end Of this two
way office has been in operation
since August z. 1871. II did its
first business August 20, when IL
recruits arrived from Ut. Bragg,
N. c. The following day 9 second
batch OF rockies, % in number,
reported from Camp Lee. Va.
These "a recruits were the first
to arrive at the newborn field,
and the first wave 70 enter KEGS
ler's Replacement Training Center.
The shipping section began 0l
Grafton September ~.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
REMEMBER, JIM

among many college grid-
men who have entered the
Y. s. Marine Corps recently is
Jim DanielL Ohio State guard. who
vas . member of the East ALL
Star football squad that played
an enlisted team At Keesler Field
"A December.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15

Three additional electrical den
tai units have been set up in Dem
tai Clinic No. /. marking the open
ing of large dental infirmary OF
ie chairs on the Clinics second
floor. Mai. Charles =. Mcdonald,
Assistant Post Dental Surgeon,
announced yesterday.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15

made on MS service record.
Keeping such q concise history
Of every soldier at Keesler Field Is
q long. tedious job that never
seems 10 end. Yet, by working day
and night, seven days a week.
men assigned TO the Posts service
records sections slsysys manage 70
get II done.
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
REC HALLS USED

REC HALLS USED
So voluminous 4 the task Of
keeping service records UP 70 date
that II recently became necessary
10 divide the Service Records Sec
ton into two parts In Recreation
Halls 20 and. IS.
The work is shared equally BY
the two sections. and in both build
iDgs every available inch Of floor
space--even 70 the stage and pro-
lection room--is taken up with
filing .abinetS, desks and other
office equipment.
The Service Record Section men
must LOOK up Private Joe's record
and insert notations every time
he Is promoted or denoted, every
time ne goes on furlouzh. and
every time ne Is paid II he ~ cited
for heroisrn, or receives specialist
rating. or suffers a serious Ill
ness; II ne deserts OF II he Is killed
in sction--eyerything significant
70 tfle history Of his service must
be written down
RECORD GOES ALONG
Private Joe's service record fol-
lows him wherever he goes. and
when he comes 20 Keeslsr Field
or vhep hs leaves. that fact nauss
The Keesler field news., 1942-04-15
Shipping and Receiving First TO Say
Hello" Last TO Say Goodbye"

Were the first 10 greet them
and the last to say goodbye" re-
marked ist IT. Edmund J. Gier-
ing, Jr, officer IN charge OF Ship
ping and Receiving. explaining the
function Of his ever-busy depart
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1942-04-02
GUESSING ON
ICE BREAKUP
NEARING END

Those who expect to be in or
an award of many thousands Of
dollars for guessing the correct
time of the ice breakup in the
Nenana river must hustle.
Guessing ends in Juneau at mid
night Saturday and already guessers
are getting busy, according to all
reports.
Service men everywhere are get
ting in their guesses, according to
advices received here.
Latest reports from the Interior
are to the effect that the ice on
the Nenana River is low, also the
water which makes some believe
the breakup will be late but cimil-
ar conditions have prevailed be-
fore and the movement of the ice
has been early.
And there you are-one guess is
as good as another.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1942-04-02
SERVICE Men
: GET GUITARS,
NEED BRASS
Juneau Service League Is
Helping Boys Work Up
0rChestrd-Aid Asked

Service men who visit the Ameri-
can Legion Dugout during the
nightly open houses now have
something to strum on during the
evening if they wish, thanks to
Juneau citizens who have donated
for their use a couple of guitars
and drum.
The appeal for musical instru-
ments to assist the boys in get
ting up an orchestra was made not
long ago by Mrs. Michael Haas,
representing the American Legion
Auxiliary on the Juneau Service
League.
Any Wind to Spare?
While the guitars and the drum
are much appreciated by the boys,
the orchestra is far from being
complete.
Anyone in Juneau who has a
wind instrument to spare, such as
saxophone OF trombone, or a
trumpet, clarinet or even accordion,
would be doing a service by lend
ing the piece to the boys SO they
can work up an orchestra to help
while away the time.
Dept In Dugout
The instruments may be left st
the Dugout, where they will be
under the care of a. responsible
person and given to the boys to
use during the open houses, or
when they come in town during
their leaves.
A violin may come in handy al
so, but the instruments primarily
desired to fill out the orchestra are
the sax and trombone. The other
brasses are also good for putting
little oomph into the boys play
ing.
In the meantime, the fellows are
stunning on the guitars and beat
ing the drum while they wait for
the other necessary pieces for the
band.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1942-04-02
MAKE DASH
TO ESCAPE
FROM NAzIS
Ten Norwegian Ships al
Gofeborg Leave Port
Five Successful

STOCKHOLM, April 2 Ten
Norwegian ships berthed at Cote
borg, Sweden, since the German
invasion of Norway, attempted a
dash to England.
1t is said that at least two YES
sells, the whale factory Skytteren
and tanker Buccaneer were tor
pedoed and sunk just outside the
three mile limit.
A third ship was damaged.
Two vessels returned to port.
Five presumably escaped their at
tackers on the open sea and
reached England.
The attacks are believed to have
been made by the Germans who
control the Kattegat.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1942-04-02
five ARRIVE HERE BY
PLANE WEDNESDAY

Leaving here yesterday after
noon on an Alaska Coastal Air
lines plane for Sitka were c. r.
Krause and Donald Murphy. Those
who were passengers for Juneau on
the return flight were, John ".
Ritter, Jack c. Conner, Ellison Scott.
Oscar Margasd and T. Smith.
This morning an Alaska Coastal
Airlines plane made trip to Hawk
Inlet with t. Conrad and Adolph
Floe as passengers. Two round trips
were also made this morning to the
Taku- Polaris Mine.