Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-14
43d Division Needs
Definition Of Mission
Lawmaker Asserts
Rxthe As.se,otsd Press

bY we A$socIoteo Ffess
The morale of the 43d Infantry
Division would be helped by a
clear statement of its ultimate
mission, Representative Morano.
Republican. of Connecticut said
today.
'The 43d," he said, sis suffering
from confusion brought on by the
fact that the Pentagon has not
clearly defined the divisions mis-
sion"
In letter to Defense Secretary
Marshall, he described this con
fusion" as the most important
finding he made in recent in
spection of Camp Pickett, Va,
where the division of New Eng
landers was in training. The di-
vision is now moving to the A. P.
Hill Military Reservation.
Mr.. Morano undertook the in
spection to determine for himself
If public charges made against
the divisions morale, leadership
and treatment were justified"
Lawmaker Dissatisfied.
Much corrective action has
been taken" Mr.. Morano wrote,
but I am not satisfied that i'm
provements made by Gen. Cramer
(Maj. Gen. Kenneth F. Cramer,
commanding generaD have sue
ceeded in raising the morale of
the officers and men to the point
where it should be"
He said he attributes this ito
the fact that the commanding
generals early actions have so
embittered his troops that no
corrective action is able to over
come the personal animosity they
bear towards him.
Because the commanding gen.
eral himself does not know
whether he is commanding a
combat unit, a service unit or
training unit, there is confusion
from the top brass on down to
the lowliest recruit" Mr.. Morano
said.
Pentagon Raided Officer Staff.
If the 43d is combat unit, he
added. its personnel should be
kept intact.
However. although under the
impression that its mission is to
achieve combat efficiency, the
Pentagon has recently initiated
raids on the most trained and able
officers in the outfit. thus destroy
ing the integrity of the division
and the morale as WELL" he wrote,
adding:
"A clear delineation of the ADDS
ultimate mission, a pledge to re-
spect the integrity of the unit in
accordance with that mission.
would accomplish much in bring
ing up the efficiency and the
morale of the 43d Division" he
added.
Mr.. Morano previously had said
that reports reaching him from
the 43d Division indicated Shame
full" conditions at the camp. Since
January /, improvements have
been made. he wrote.
Morano Lists Findings.
Mr.. Morano listed these find
ings:
There is absolutely no basis in
fact for the. degrading and un-
deserved nickname of Cry Baby
Division pinned on the 43d as a
result Of stream of 'gripes' made
by soldiers at Camp Pickett since
their liberalization in September.
I find. in the main, the soldiers
were perfectly justified in their
complaints. The physical facili-
ties Of the camp were inadequate.
The camp was hardly ready for
occupancy. There was a COM
plete shortage of all supplies, in
Guiding food. Dwelling facilities
were overcrowded. Restrictions on
the men and officers were harsh
and final. Some restrictions were
neCeSSlIaCeQ py circumstances,
others were unnecessary and
petty.
The fault for this unfortunate
situation can be attributed to:
"A-The Pentagon, which or
dered the men into Federal service
without being prepared to ade-
ouately house eIothe faed eod
supply them.
"B-The commanding general,
Maj. Gen. Kenneth r. Craner
an able soldier with a distin-
guished record, who. in carrying
out the aims of his mission. in
cited in the men and officers un- |
der his command bitterness and
personal animosity which no en- /
suing corrective action or easing
OF restrictions has been able to |
dispel."