Evening star., 1952-07-20
By WiIIiom J. WheotIey
Stor StuH Correspondent

BETHANY BEACH, Del, July
19-The baby outfit of the District
National Guard, the 140th Engi-
neer Float Bridge Company, has
received the top military rating of
superior" from regular army field
inspectors who had the new unit
under close observation here dur
ing the past two weeks. All the
units are returning to Washing
ton today.
Commanded by First 1t. John
E. Bolton, this unit has accom-
|plished in it's four months of life
what many guard organizations
have sought and failed to obtain
over a period of years. But its
young commander who received
his combat baptism in the Euro
Ipean theater in the last war, had
|his unit detached from the base
camp within minutes after the
other District troops settled down
here.
Hard Work-Hard Play
With a hard work and hard play
system he brought to the unit the
praises of the regular service OBJ
servers and the top marking.
This was one Of three units
which received the superior rating
at this encampment. The others
were the top command group,
headed by Maj. Gen. William H.
Abendroth, camp commander, the
Headquarters and Headquarters
Detachment and the 257th Army
Band, of which Alphonso r. T.
Esposito is the leader.
Three units received excellent
ratings. They were Battery B.
34Oth Anti-aircraft Gun Battalion,
the Medical Department Detach-
ment and the 104th Ordnance
Maintenance Company.
Satisfactory ratings were re-
ceived by the Headquarters. 340th
Gun Battalion, and Batteries A.
C and D and the Radio Controlled
Airplane Target Detachment.
Units Reorganized.
Gen. Abendroth announced that
the 260th Anti-aircraft Artillery
Group and Headquarters Battery
would be reorganized Immediately.
The original unit which was called
into Federal service within a few
months after the outbreak of the
Korean War, and now is operating
in the European theater is sched-
uled to be returned to inactive
duty shortly after September /.
1t. Col. George v. Selwyn. COM
|mander of the 340th Gun Battal-
ion. has been ordered detached
from that command upon return
from this camp, and to assume
command of the 260th Group. Col.
Selwyn's second in command, Maj.
Robert T. Bard, 1903 Crawford
dr.. Rockville, Md, will assume
command of the 340th. Col. Sell
wyn was named when word came
that Col. Leroy S. Mann, who was
in command of the group when it
was called into Federal service, is
remaining on active duty. 1t. Col.
Carl Santilli. who was executive
officer Of the group and now is in
the Far East, also is expected tn
remain on active duty.
After spending today in packing
up and loading trucks. the troops
bedded down early to await rev.
ellie at 3 am. The motor conveys
are scheduled to leave camp in two
groups. They are due to arrive
at the East Capitol Street Armory|
at half hour intervals, beginning
at 10 am. today.
Maj. James II. Brooks, pastor oil
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholicl
Church in Washington, and chap
lain of the 340th, was to say mass
for the troops at $3.50 am. tomor-
row.
Gives Credit to Staff.
Gen. Abendroth said he was
much pleased at the results at
tanned here. 1t is the first time
that the entire organization has
as a self contained unit.
He said that much of the credit
goes to the staff, which relieved
the operating units OF many Of
the burdens of field administra-
tive duties, so they could con-
centrate on conducting trainingl
in their particular fields.
1t. Col. Robert F. Cocklin, chief
Of staff. commented highly on
what he declared was enthusiast
tic cooperation received from thel
Training and Support Group of