Evening star., 1947-01-19

house headquarters, 1919 X street
NV.
Although he came back to civilian
life with a disability too early to
serve In World War II, Mr.. O'Malley
put in 10 years Of service with the
Marine Corps, nearly eight Of them
overseas. "A member Of the District
Fire Department, he resides at 32l7
Alabama avenue SE.
Mr.. OMalley's expansion plans
are built around organization of
posts In neiehborhoods, "for men
who know each other we'll and who
know problems of their immediate
neignborhoods."
Keynotes Of the departments
service program are Employment
and Civil Service Rights Commit
tees, set up to handle any re-
employment grievances Of its men,
bers.
vFW members like to consider
themselves "down-to-earth fighting
men" and lack many of the big
names" found among Legion mem
bership. Leaders say they also de-
tect growing feeling here against
excessive financial benefits for them
selves.
Nevertheless, they are committed
through national vFW policy to
q strong program of legislative
benefits for the coming year.
So and 81 Per Day Bonus
Is Popular Proposal
Most important are plans to
urge a Federal bonus for all
World War II veterans. Most
popular proposal among VFW lesis-
lators, headed by Omar B. Ketchum.
is request for payment of So a
day for each day served within
the United States and $4 . day
for each day Of duty overseas, with
an additional $500 for combat
wounds.
Nationally, vFW opposes merger
Of the armed forces, but lin prin-
ciple" indorses extension Of selective
service and universal military train
ing. 1t will strongly urge establish
ment, of a veterans RFC," to pro-
vide loans to businesses that would
spur veteran employment.
Meanwhile, Mr.. O'Malley believes
World War II veteran might be
ready to take command Of the
District department this fall.
At the convention, Louis E. Starr,
Portland attorney, stepped up the
ladder from senior vice commander
to become unanimously elected ma
tional commander.
Disabled American Veterans
Rests on Secure Basis
i Most secure and least dependent
upon large membership and multiple
programs OF all the organizations is
the Disabled American Veterans.
Organized in 1920, DAV steers
clear OF vast legislative programs
and extensive social activities, and
concentrates on a single purpose
Rehabilitation service for disabled
war casualties.
DAV is best known for its national
service officer program. Thus far,
more than $50 disabled veterans Of
World War II have been sent
through an intensive six-month
course at American University. After
graduation, trainees are given 1S
months of instruction under quail
fed DAV representatives assigned to
field Offices of the Veterans Admin
istration.
At present, the groups chief cam
paign is a Nationwide drive to con-
vince employers that disabeled vet
Grams. placed in proper jobs, can be
at least as valuable as able-bodied
workers. Working with the United
States Employment Service, DAV
has developed "man-job matching
technique" to fit veterans to specific
jobs in view of their capabilities and
disabilities.
OIeson Holds Purple Heart
With Three Clusters
At it's national convention last
fall DAV became first Of the large
organizations to elect veteran Of
the Second World War as leader.
They chose Lloyd F. Oleson, 35-year-
old Los Angeles resident. Especially
we'll qualified for membership in the
organization he commands, MIR.
Oleson had three tanks shot from
under him while serving with the
1st Armored Division in the African
campaign. He holds the Purple
Heart with three clusters.
In the last few years DAV has
more than doubled its membership
and now has strength above
100 900.
| The District Department mas IL
service officers to administer pro-
grams here. In their work to spur
employment of the disabled in
Washington, special emphasis is
given to unemployment of veterans
in the Federal service. Facilities are
offered to all disabled-regardless Of
whether they are DAV members
and to widows and children of dis
abled veterans.
Dixon Lost Both Legs
In Action Near Aachen
Directing the local department
is Harold M. Dixon, %, Of 371l
Thirty sixth street, Mount Rainier.
Mr.. Dixon lost both legs during
action with the 30th Division near
T.