Evening star., 1946-02-15
District Draft Aides,
Honored by Services,
Promise 10 Garry On

Secretary of War Patterson and
Secretary of Navy Forrestal last
night thanked the men who have
operated the Selective Service Sys-
tenn successfully in the Nations Cap
ital for more than five years.
The draft aides, who had to vol
unteer for their work, received the
medal of the Selective Service Sys-
tenn and promptly offered to see the
assignment through, 1if it takes
five mere years.
Commissioner John Russell Young
presented the medals, awarded by
Congress. to $50 District men who
have served on draft boards for more
than two years in ceremonies at the
Departmental Auditorium.
In the five years since the draft
boards were organized, the Commits
sioners have not received one letter
of complaint against board or a
member of board, Commissioner
Young announced.
10 Posthumous Awards.
Ten medals awarded posthumously
to men who died while serving their
country in selective service posts
were presented to their widows. The
medal was pinned on the lapel of
William E. Leahy, District director
of Selective Service, by Col. Daniel
o. Omer, assistant chief of the field
division. on behalf of Maj. Gen
Lewis B. Hershey, director of the
Selectiye Service System.
Mr.. Patterson, expressing the
Army's appreciation "for the labo,
and service rendered by you over
the years Of this long and tragic
war;" declared that manpower was
the basic factor in winning the war
I'm the fair and just administra-
ton of the Selective Service System
lay the true strength of our democ-
racy," he said.
Recalling that many questioned
the principle of compulsory military
training in a democracy, Mr.. For
restal remarked that "the greatest
tribute to you is the universal &C
ceptance by the people of the un-
deriying justice and equity of your
activities"
Thought of the work still ahead
was injected by Col. Omer.
I'm the darker days of war we
had to take men from the security
of their home and put them in uni
FORM" he said. Nov our energies
are directed to helping provide re-
placements for some of those young
men. We also have the pleasant
duty of welcoming back the veterans
and assisting them to re-establish
themselves as civilians. I am conf
dent you will see through this as
signment."
Further Efforts Pledged.
The men applauded vigorously
when Mr.. Leahy assured him that
I'VE will continue to help carry the
load, If it Is five years more"
The Gold Medal carries on its
back the inscription. Awarded In
the name of the Congress of the
United States for faithful and loyal
service" Each man also received q
certificate of award, a blue and gold
service ribbon and a blue and gold
lapel pin Those honored included
draft and appeal board members,
physicians and dentists assigned to
draft and advisory boards and re-
employment committeeman.
On the platform were Brig. Gen
Albert L. Cox, organizer of District
Selective Service; Brig. Gen. Cor
don r. Young, engineer commits
sioner, and Brig. Gen. Robert N.
Young, commanding general of the
military district of Washington.
The American Legion's National
Guard of Honor advanced the colors,
Invocation was pronounced by the
Rev. David p. McCauley, S. j., dean
of Georgetown University medical
school, The Metropolitan Police
= = L. q.