The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1947-10-07
WV DISCLOSES
TALENT AMONG
NEW OFFICERS

Newly elected national officers of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars bring
to the organization an immense
pool of talent and experience in
military, civic and economic prob
lens.
Topping the list is Ray H. Bran
naman, of Denver, Colorado, in
coming national commander-in-
chief. Holder of a masters degree
in education and with bachelors
study in agriculture and mechanic
cal arts, he was school super
intendent for Is years in his home
state. For nine years he was a
member of the Colorado Industrial
Commission, serving as chairman
for four years.
Brannaman's particular interest
In veterans and their rehabilitation
has been recognized by number
of federal agencies to which he has
served as consultant. His military
record shows he commanded an
air squadron in World War I, and
that he won personal commenda-
ton from General John ]. Pershing
for the record 1t set.
Lyall T. Beggs, new senior vice
commander-in-chief from Madison.
Wise. is a longtime leader In legal
and public service fields. Although
his education was interrupted by
entering Army service at 10 in
World War I. he returned to Wis
consin to win a diploma from
teachers college and a degree in
law. He was district attorney for
his home county from 1894 to 1899,
and in 1910 was elected to the
state legislature, where he still
serves.
First World War II veteran to
win the office, Clyde A. Lewis.
Plattsburgh, NY. is junior vice
commAnder-in-chief. An attorney
in private practice, he holds an A.
B. from Notre Dame University
and an LIB. from Harvard Law
School. A Bit pilot with the IA
nous 9th Air Force, he rose from
private to major during the war.
His decorations include the Croix
de Guerre, Distinguished Flying
Cross with two oak leaf clusters,
and Air Medal with four oak leaf
clusters.
Now entering his 25th year as
the WINS quartermaster general,
RIB. Handy. Jr., of Kansas City,
Mo-, has long used his knowledge
and experience in veterans affairs
in betterment Of the nations
fighting man. He was first chair
man of the VF.W.'s committee to
handle Buddy Poppy sales for be-
nefit Of their widows and orphans,
and served in the same job from
1928 to 1916. A captain in World
War I, he was assigned to an in
fantry regiment and later to the
Chemical Warfare Service and the
War Plans division of the War De-
partment general staff.
Hudson Hyatt. of Cleveland, Ohio,
is another World War II veteran
and incoming judge advocate gen.
eral. Only 80, he is an attorney in
the legal department of a large
railroad company, and was Navy
lieutenant, j.g., and communication
officer on the island of Tinian..
New surgeon general of the VT.
w. is acknowledgement outstanding
physician, Dr. William r. Morrison.
Belmont, Mass. Surgeon -in-chief of
Boston City Hospital, he Is the
founder OF the American Board of
Surgery, and has taught in several
of the country's best-known medi-
cal schools. He holds fellowships in
a number Of medical societies, and
is keenly interested in treatment
of wounded and disabled former
SerVlcemen.
Ministering to religious needs as
national chaplain is the Rev. Mer-
rift F. Williams, canon of Washing
ton Cathedral, Washington, D. C.
and a Navy veteran of both world
wars A fighting chaplain" in
World War II, he was wounded In
the Solomon Islands campaign. He
was twice awarded the Bronze
Star medal, and was a survivor of
the sinking of the U.S.S. WASP.
The citation accompanying his first
Bronze Star, speaking of his actions
during the WASP'S sinking, saws
in part. After the ship was NOR
tally damaged and numerous casu-
alties were being inflicted on her
personnel as the result of terrific
explosions aboard, he calmly and
effectively assisted in attending to
the seriously wounded and in get
ting them clear of the ship until
the task was completed.