Evening star., 1957-08-25

HlVIEVhJ VVUU
Of World War
With pomp and ceremony,
the Society of the First Divi-
sion yesterday dedicated an adj
dition to its memorial, just
south of the State, War and
Navy Building, to include the
names Of World War II dead.
1t. Gen. Clarence r. Hueb-
ner. the society's president,
who commanded the division
In World War II, said in an
address to an audience Of 1000:
"The principles for which
this memorial stands should be
Q guide not only to the rest of
the Army but to our Nation as
well.
This monument, and the
names inscribed on it, should
urge us all to greater efforts,
especially in these times of un-
certainty. We are in period
OF transition that is probably
the most dangerous period of
world history.
Draw Inspiration
From the courage of the
men we are honoring today. we
should draw the inspiration to
face whatever mission we are
called upon to undertake in the
future"
Gen. Huebner sketched the
battle history or the 1st Divi-
sion, recalled its numerous
"flrsts" and declared:
1T is the first of our infan-
try divisions to be reorganized
for nuclear warfare under the
pentomic concept. designed to
meet the enemy on the ground,
where wars have always finally
been settled. Our division and
Others that will follow will be
ready to defeat any aggression,
from a brush fire to an atomic
holocaust"
The 1st Division Of the Army
sent contingent to represent
the regular forces at the cere-
mony.
Monument Unveiled
The colors were advanced to
the monument; the Army Band
played selections; Kipling's
"Recessional' was played;
''Taps" sounded and the addi-
tion to the monument was un-
veiled. with three Gold Star
Mothers. who lost sons in war,
assisting.
Participating in this part of
the ceremony we're: Mrs. Mar
garet Daniel of Craigsville, Va;
Mrs. j. w. Monteith Of Rich
mond. Va. and Mrs. Mary
Fielder Of New Brunswick, N. j.,
the Gold Star Mothers. Also
Maj. Dan Edwards of Mount
Ida, Ark, a much-decorated
soldier, who won the Congress
sional Medal of Honor and
other high awards. and Gino
Merli of Peckville, Pa. another
Medal of Honor winner.
They are members Of the
society and fought with the
First Division overseas.
A wreath, bearing a large
One-for the First Division
in red carnations, surrounded
by green leaves-was laid at
the base of the new memorial
by three soldiers who led the
division in World War II: 1t.
Gen. Huebner. Mai. Gen. Terry
Allen and Maj. Gen. Cliff
AndruS.
The addition to the monu-
ment. which is across Seven
teenth street from the Cor
coran Art Gallery. bears the
names of World War II dead
on bronze tablets. Inscribed in
the central stone of the me-
mortal are these words:
THE First Infantry Division,
U. S. Army: To our heroic
dead-8 November 1923 May
1945. Algeria. Tunisia, Sicily.
Normandy, Northern France.
Ardennes, Rhineland, Central
Europe. Erected 1857 by mem
bers and loyal friends of the
First Infantry Division and the
Society Of the First Division. :"
Gen. Andrus asked the audi
ence to let the society know if
any names that should be in
cluded on the new memorial
are missing. He pointed out a
great deal of research has gone
into the compiling of these
names, but said it is possible
some were inadvertently
omitted.
The addition cost some $685.
900 and there are some 4,365
names Of World War II dead
inscribed on the bronze tablets,
the Defense Department said.
The original First Division
Memorial was dedicated Octo-
ber 4, 1924. The column is sur
mounted by a statue of Victory
1t contains at the base some
$500 names representing the
names Of World War l heroes.
The new addition is just to the
west.
The convention, which began
Thursday, closed last night
with a banquet and dance. Gen.
Huebner was reelected presi-
dent.