Evening star., 1944-08-15
By JOHN A. MACK.

By JOHN A. MACK.
World War Veteran Charles c.
McGonegal has two artificial arms,
but he can type, and Walter An
toniewicz, who lost both legs in the
last war, doesn't let that keep him
from dancing.
AS a consequence, they are now
In Washington to discuss plans with
Army, Navy and Veterans Admins
tration officials which they hope will
be of aid to veterans of this war
who have lost arms or legs.
Both men will travel officially as
field secretaries for the American
Legion to visit hospitals throughout
the country. They were to begin
demonstrations today at Walter
Reed.
Caused by Grenade.
Mr.. McGonegal lost both arms
when a grenade exploded in his
hand in trench in France. AS he
went to throw the grenade he raised
his head above the trench top and
was hit by a German bullet. The
grenade exploded as he fell, blow
ing off both his hands.
Mr.. Antoniewicz was serving with
the l1th United States Engineers and
was attached to the British Army
in the Arras sector of France. On
April l8, 1918, heavy German shell
landed in trench he was in When
medical corpsmen picked him up
they found that both his legs had
been severed by the she'll
Both men were given their arti-
ficial limbs on their return to the
United States, but they changed
many times later to find the type
which was most suitable.
Perform for Admiral.
To prove their ability to do most
things that other people can, both
men performed before Rear Ad-
miral Luther Sheldon, jr., acting
chief Of the Nays Bureau of Med
icine and Surgery, and later, Maj.
Gen. Norman T. Kirk, Surgeon
General Of the Army, and other
medical officers
Mr.. McGonegal deftly lit a cigar
cite with the two hooks which
serve him as hands, while Mr.. An
toniewicz did short jitterbug
routine to show his ability to use
his legs.
Mr.. Antoniewicz then walked
around the room asking several per-
sons which leg was the artificial
one. After each had a choice he
informed them that both are from
the factory"
Mr. McGonegal demonstrated he
could pick up piece of tissue paper,
use a pen or pencil typewrite and
even button his shirt.
Some Give Up Easily.
While discussing the men OF this
war, Capt. Howard H. Montgomery,
chief of the Navy's ONCE of Re-
Mobilization, pointed out that there
were more amputations performed
in civilian life than in the service.
Mr.. McGonegal suggested to Capt.
Montgomery that families were too
prone to wait on wounded veterans.
"The result is the veteran hangs
his artificial arm or leg on a closet
hook" Mr.. McGonegal said, wav-
ing his arms and lighting another
cigarette. Then, because the arti-
f1cial limb can never be as good as
the original one. the man quits try
ing altogether
You mean the artificial one is
never really as good as the original
ISSUE said Capt. Montgomery.
Has Decorated Leg.
Both men laughed, whereupon
the latter pulled up his trouser legs.
Navy officers smiled as they saw
the series of pin-up girl cutouts
glued on the artificial legs.
Explaining why he preferred steel
hooks to an artificial hand, Mr.. Nc
CONCEAL said people recognized the
hooks for what they were and paid
little attention to them.
But If you wear an artificial
hand with tan, gray or black glove
many Of them come up to you and
poke you to see If it really is arti-
ficial," he commented.
Morale Boosted.
The two veterans said the morale
OF the men increased greatly when
they saw what could be done with
artificial limbs and it took a further
Jump when they found that Jobs
were open to them.
The medical authorities agreed
with the two men that there had
been much improvement in the
manufacture and design of artificial
legs in the past Is years, but little
headway had been made in the
production Of arms and hands.
n