The Michigan chronicle. [volume], January 15, 1944, SECOND NEWS SECTION, Page PAGE EIGHTEEN, Image 18

About The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current

Image provided by: Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library

                
PAGE EIGHTEEN
Mth Infantry Poised For Action In The South Pacific
NEDIiO OUTFIT
HAS KEPT A 21
MONTH‘VIGIL’
» T FLETCHER P. MARTIN
ADVANCE PACIFIC BASE «Via
Airmail)—O* the sandy shores of a
historic South Pacific beach which
i» preflccd by counties* miles of
Coral Sea. the crack 24th Infantry
1* stationed Neitly tucked in the
of jungular terrain, this
force fully equipped, is prepared
for any eventuality. Whether they
Wilt be flung again*: the enemy,
only the military command knows,
in the meantime the pushing of sup
plies to forward areas is their task
Twenty-one months have slowly
passed since this outfit embarked
from California for the South Pa
cific. Twenty-one months without
• let-up. exiept for those whose
health make necessary evpeuntion.
Under tropical conditions they sol
dier on the docks and in supply
dumps. Despite this, they remain
ready for combat having in their
poaseision full equipment for a
full Infantry unit. Time crawls,
work is hard, but in the words of
Lt Col. Julian G. Hcathie Jr., com
mander from Wheeling. W Va.:
Doing Essential Job
* We feel that what we are doing
Is essential in this war effort. Our
force is one prepared to do any
thing. Whether at the front or be
hind the lines. Now we are behind
the lines handling essential sup
plies. We are doing, and will con
tinue to do a good job."
The ramp is flanked on all sides
by towering coconut palms. And
©n tha North are miles of sandy
beach. A beautiful site which does
Hot show the wear and tear of bat
tle. Vet only a few months ago
here was fought one of the blood
iest of battles. Americans showered
therpselves in glory as they routed
• stubborn enemy from beach and
surrounding jungles The military
burial ground several hundred feet
from this site bespeaks the inten
tly of the struggle. Now all is
Peaceful and quiet as the waves
break against the beach and multi
colored birds cloud the -ir with
ftranf* calls.
Their Health Good
-The climate is hot and sultry.
Ykt the health of these men is re
markably good. The food is good,
and tents are spacious and clean.
Checker boarding the grounds are
huge trenches and dugouts. Al
though these have not been much
used for the last few months, be
fore that the underground sanct
uaries were as well known as the
comfortable screened tents. Having
felt the wage of aerial bombard
ments. preparedness is the byword.
During one such attack Pfc. Verna
C Neal of Ituleville. Miss., tyawled
390 yards In the face of hyrtbng
death and aided In the evacuation
of several wounded. Receiving in
jartaa in this courageous undertak
-Ift* Pta Neal later received tha
xSS «2Lrt* ,rU *"* r4 “* l “*
SSe seasoned Mad well-dlsd-
TMm !MlflireTOr<> p dl» their
weapons. An appreciable number
Of the non-commi—Mined officers
Ore Regular Army. And the spirit
es military eourtftmr. carried Out to
the latter, leaves little to be de
sired. The men are influenced
largely by such old Army reg-lars
ns F-Sgts. John J. Hansbury. of
New Orleans <2O years); Jacob Har
rison. of Columbus. Ga., <26 years);
Harry Relf. of Montgompry. Ala.,
(9 years); Robert Palmer of Phenix
City. Ala., <l4 years); and S-Sgt.
Romalus Lewis, of New Orleans
<l6 years).
Oberlln Chaplain Listed
Except for the chsplains. Cap
tains Norman G. Long, of Oberlin.
Ohio; Theodore H. Brooks, of San
ford, N.C.; and Lt Gil B. Lloyd,
of Chicago, 111., the ranking Negro
officers are Warrant Officers Rufus
E. Williams, Columbus. Ga.; Chris
Guillory, Columbus. Ga.; Suid A.
Draught), Hattiesburg, Miss; G.
Clarence Owens. Chicago; Willie C.
Jones, Birmingham, Ala.; and Roger
Porter. Columbus. Ga.
The record of the 24th Infantry
Is widely known. Action on the
Mexican border, the Cuban cam
paign which included th attack
upon San Juan Hill, and services in
the Phillipines. History speaks of
the long, hard and uncomplaining
services of this infantry force. Years
at Fort Benning, Ga.. where they
served as the demonstration troops
for the infantry school. And where
athletic records were shattered.
These accomplishments are written
in the record.
Landed In ’42
Familiar with the work of service
troops. familiar with the weapons
of the infantry, today thev are un
complaining Mve for the long ardu
ous hours. At nights the oldsters
tslk of howitrers and Springfield*,
the “new ’cruits listen"
After embarkation the unit
larded in New Hebrides on May 4,
1942. Thrie they found a detach
ment of Mariner a unit of the old
Massachusetts National Guards
mow Infantry), and the native
home guard*. The infantry was
formed into the North and Fast sec
tor defense perimeter Lines of
Communication were established by
them for the entiie island
lug through thick underbrush uni
Jungle foliage. 300 miles of vdß
were strung. 1-Sg! E. D
Phoenix City. Ala t who in
marge, told of the
•We were armed
runs, knives, and a map wßlidn't
know the territory was <rT4 and
unexplored I had a compass and
map We started out with food and
equipment to bivouac along the
war. It was Lae blaring a new
trail We cut through the
brush and beamed like fire
It wasn’t easy. For nine months
we went forward, stringing, watch
ing. and sweating. sweating,
watching and stringing Wild cows
were about the only things we saw.
I dorrt mind telling you it was
hell. Finally, the Job was com
?leted. And we called it the
forth west Passage"*
One important item Sgt. Barks
left out was that prior to ioining
the Army eight years ago. he had
no training in Signal Corps work
In fact he worked in a textile
plant in Alabama. With 10 men he
did a Job that still stands s tri
bute to this little dark man. and
won for him the coveted Legion of
Merit
Plenty Keereatlen
The perimeter of ground action
In this command extends miles
from the beach. And time Is per
mitted for rest movies, volley ball.
boxing bouU, liahxng. swimming.
„ ~~ **V i I I -
'i ~ f ' * 'iv L'Jjl -C ' J Aail * 1 ||| I "—’ll w
■ I V -.* llrr \- ■* - i i i fl 1J 1 ( M h.
i J ,m._ uL 1. w* I
■ ML s§ v, n, ' i m ft 1 VI *L id 'Uft * 111 lwN& f
In an attempt to cope with ths serious housing in Detroih na
tional and local housing authorities have approved several projects
lor Negto wer workers, among them the construction of approxi
v Safi
| ' v v< TBM
Woe betides the would-be saboteur or invader
who runs afoul of this staunch member of the
Coast Guard Mounted Beach Patrol. Shown
atop hit mount. "Whitey." while on patrol, Lee
DEMONSTRATES SPECIALTY
El
I
I
'
k' <
6>
Rr Unfe d by CT. S W«r nvpnrtmrnt. Iluriw. of Public Relation*
WITH THE GREATEST OF EASE Private John W. Hrooks. a
member of the United States Olympic Team in 1932 ami 19.16, puts
on a demonstration of his specialty of broadjumping. Now taking
basic training with the GOtth Training Camp. I.incoln Army Air Field,
Nebraska, ihe Chicagoan has garnered over 250 medals and trophies.
(Photo by AAK Training Command.)
and even studying. The 24th has
•ts band, both dance and military,
and innumerable quartettes. The
men make their fun. furloughs are
unheard of in this camp.
Tonight, the night before Christ
mas, preparations are being made
for the Yuletide. There will be no
work. As Chaplains Lloyd,
Warrant Officer Williams, and this
correspondent walked along the
beach, looking out on the vast Coral
Sea. one of the chaplains remarked:
“So peaceful, but of tomorrow,
who knows. But despite whatever it
brings, 1 feel we are ready.”
Mostly Georgians
This Infantry is made up largely
of men from Georgia. Mississippi,
Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida,
but sprinkled through the entire
force are representatives from
every state:
New York. S-Sgt Arthur F Tn
nisa. New York Citv pfe, Jn n C
Farley, New York City; T-5
L Argumper. S’aten Llund: Pvt
Julius Malachi, Ossining; and Pfc.
John J. Perrigan. Brooklyn
Louisiana sends. Sgt Emmamial
Poas. New Orleans, and also New
o'le*T tans Sgt Walter J Perrin
Pfr laither C. Smith, and Sgt
Ambrose J. Taylor.
ft am too uaLcn a capital bail *
DETROIT RAZES SLUMS TO BUILD MORE HOUSING
ON COAST GUARD PATROL
Pvt. Howard M. Johnson, Cpl.
Henry B. Comer, and Pfc. George
B. Washington Jr.
Pennsylvania is represented by
Pfc. Kenneth J. Stoots, Pittsburgh;
T-4 Lu Willis Gibson, Monessen;
T-5 Jerome J. Jackson. Pfc. Clar
ence M. Harris, Joseph Burgess
(T-s*. and Pfc Raymond 11. John
son, all of Philadelphia.
Two Detroiters
Detroit, Michigan: Pvt. Harold
Beochum and Pvt. Robert Jones.
Missouri: Pvt. Arthur Cook, of
St. Louis; Pvt. Bernard L. Steward,
St. Louis: and Pfc, Randolph Ward,
Kirk wood.
Chicago: Pfc Bennie Hooks and
Pvt. Lawrence L. Leeper.
Ohio: Pvt. Orbille V. Irvin. Cleve
land; Pvt. Noble Harmon, Camp
b 11; Pvt. James Tl. Turner, Circle
ville; Pfe. Kenneth G Black. New
ark: and Pfc Mose G. Courtman.
Coatsville.
Texas: 1-Sgt Joe McCoy. Hous
ton; Pvt Edward Hargraves. Fort
Worth; Pvt Joe Joshua. San An
tonio; and T-4 Lee E. Keeton, Fair
field
Kentucky: Pvt. Cliffton C Gay.
of Lexington: and Sgt. Hugh S.
CLegory of Greenville.
Virginia: Pfr Frank Brown Jr..
Koitviki T-4 Willie Co*by, South
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE <T m %. RELIABLE INDEPENDENT WEEKLY
Perkins, boatswain's mate, second class, Dallas,
Texas, is a member of a Coast Guard hors#
patrol unit which patrols beaches in the New
Jersey area.—U. S. Navy photo from OWI.
mately 350 temporary dwelling units in the area of the Brewster
project. Some of the work of clearing* away condemned buildings
was begun weeks ago and the entire district between Beaubien
Of *m : M r 'e 1
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Top pictura: At Camp Livingxton. L«„ ara pictured members of
two ISS mm. howitser squads shown loading their pieces for firing.
These soldiers are from "C” Battery. 351st F. A. Battalion of the
provisional Artillary command. (Photo by CpL Louie Adrian)
Boston; and Pfc. Thomas G. Penn.
Martinsville.
Maryland sends Baltimore’s
S-Sgt Willie Berry, Pfc. Isaac Hall,
of Cockegesville.
From California hail Tfc. Isaac
Williams. Sacramento; S-Sgt. J. D.
Muigau. Fresco.
p-r : w. rm,w*, i y .' J 1
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’
These Coast Guardsmen eat heartily after a
day patrolling the cold, windy beaches of New
Jersey. Kenneth Downs, chief boatswain's
mate, veteran of GuadalcanaL at the head of
NEGRO ARTILLERY MEN MANNING GUNS
FEPC GETS NEW HOME
WASHINGTON (ANP) The!
Fair Employment Pract.ce commit-J
tee moved Into new quarters on
Monday at 281 Constitution avenue.
N W Reason for the change was to
provide more adequate space for
the 4gencjr« * 1
end Hastings street south of Brf wster is now ready for new build
ings. Michigan Chronicle photographer Earl Fowler made theee
pictures of .workmen on the job readying the area for new homes.
THE WATCHMEN MUST EAT
Bottom picture: Soldiers of "C" Battery. 351st Field Artillery bat
talion of the ProTisional Artillery command are shown making a
last minute check of their howitzer's sight and quadrant to be sura
the piece is prepared lor firing. (Photo by Cpl. Louie Adrian)
CORPORAL VISITS MOTHER
CpL Cecil T. Mitchner of the
346th Aviation Squadron stationed
at l.a Junta. Colo., arrived in De
troit Thursday morning for a visit
with his mother. Mrs. Lula Smith
ul 411 £. iiaucock street.
table (while), is the commanding officar of this
group. This Coast Guard horse patrol is on
duly 24 hours a day.—U. S. Navy photo from
OWI.
KANSAS CITY MINISTER PASSES
KANSAS CITY. Mo-(AND
Funeral services for the Rev. Ray
mond Jordan, prominent Raptist
minister, who died on Wednesday
were, conducted Sunday afternoon,
from the St. Stephen's Baptist
church.
feATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1941
1 CQVE mrA
The Town
By JOHN WOOD
THE UPTOWN DOWNBEAT
CITY PLANNING Commission
which last week went over land
approved in principle) plans of
Wayne County Better Homes Inc.,
for developing Eight Mile road area
revealed the seriousness (as if it
wasn't already known) OT Negro
housing problem in Detroit. So
bad is the situation, said one mem
ber of the Commission, that e hous
ing official is in Washington plead
ing for more money to build more
projects just for Negroes. . . . One
member of the Commission also ac
cidentally dropped the information
that out at Willow Run—where
Federal housing authorities have
decreed Negroes “shall not live—
-4500 housing units are “going beg
ging’! for tenants because no one
will rent these “nice white units.**
Some people get everything except
the point!
* * *
ONLY ABOUT EIGHT per cent
of white people in Inkster are even
mildly interested In plans to divide
Inkster and leave Negro residents
holding the bag for bonded indebt
edness of the Village. Ironically
enough, the man who proposed the
division to put colored citizens be
hind the tracks (and the proverbial
eight ball) went to Negro council
man Charles Denby for legal advice
to carry out his plans. We repeat—
some people get everything except
the point!
♦ * *
BOOKER T. WASH. Trade Asso
ciation will go "big time" in *44 by
re-opening its office full time, em
ploying executive secretary, pitch
ing in on post-war planning and
awarding three scholarships to col
ored youth interested in business
careers. (One scholarship to Wayne
University and two to Negro col
leges). . . . ATTENTION, Father
Thomas J. Clynes. Bob Settles,
William Shafer and William Sin
gleton: It’s a 124 pound girl for
the H. C. Washington's (that's the
family you helped to get settled
just before Xmas). Charlotte Lo
rain Washington was born Decem
ber 26.
* * *
CRACKED DR. J. J. McClendon
Sunday: ‘Maybe the best way to
get more Negroes on the police
force is to have more colored Lieu
tenants in the department; I notice
that the only Negro added to th«
force since the June riot is Lieuten
ant Wallace Williams' son" . . . Col
lier's Kyle Crichton, in reviewing
'Carmen Jones." rates Detroit's
Pauline Frisby (professional name
Carlotta Eranzgll) as the star of the
show. Said Crichton, and 1 quote
(as Louise Blackmon would say>
"Carlotta Franzells singing stops
the show." *
** * I
JAMES MURPHY who - OfA
thought he was writing the net I
of Pontiac for this paper it put I
lishing a book of poema titled,
“Fantasy of a Dreamer** which la
due off the press this week and
which, we might add. has the right
title. (Seems like Horace White
should have thought up that title).
. . . Stella (her voice is a honey)
Andrews who is probably the best
(though not recognized as such)
soprano in Detroit, was encored at
NAACP meeting Sunday by a
crowd which wasn’t fooling. It
really liked her. . . . Vivian Mat
thews (she works In our office) is
still pulling that bewhiskered gag.
“I haven't seen you since last } ear."
gt gi jft
SPEAKING OF Mayor Jeffries
(in acceptable language) he wMll
make his first public appearance
before a Negro group since the elec
tion at St. Stephens church January
17 under auspices of West Side
Human Relations Council. Hiz
/oner will speak on "minorities In
the democratic life of the city of
Detroit" (Don't miss this. Bub)
* * *
OTHER COMING EVENTS:
Bishop John A. Gregg will be given
a testimonial (as well as a nice
purse* when he reports on his latest
trip to the war fronts at Ebenezer
Church, January 19. . . . Mrs. Roose
velt's subject at the same church on
January 2 will deal with Negro
housing (or no Negro housing) . . .
National Committee to Abolish
Jim-Crow’ Travel in the United
States will meet in conference at
YMCA January 29. (Don't miss this
one. either.)
$ j); jg
WEEK’S BEST STORY: A young
newsboy huddled in the doorway
of a drug store at Owen and Oak
land last Saturday night The
thermometer was falling faster
than Hitler's morale and it looked
as if the lad would be stuck with
about ten papers and also a bad
cold, for it was getting pretty late
and nobody wanted to read bad
enough to brave the cold and buy
his papers.
Up walked a lady and gentleman
(obviously full of the Saturday
night spirit). The man bought a
paper and gave the newsboy a dol
lar and didn’t wait for his change.
Said his wife, "Do you know you
gave that boy a dollar?”
Answered the gent, "Of course 1
know It. I meant to give him a
dollar, then maybe -he’ll go home
and not stand out here in the cold
trying to sell the rest of those pa
pers."
Said she: "Since he didn't say
'thank you’ maybe you should go
back and teach him a lesson.”
So the man retraced his steps and
said. "Son, I gave you a dollar
didn’t I?"
The kid looked up and said. “Yep,
you sure did.”
Said the man, "Well, what do you
.say?"
And the response came in a flash:
"Goodnight, JERK."
Randolph Spoke
At Boston Meet
NEW YORK. N. Y.-At the First
Methodist Church Forum in Boiton,
Mass., A. Philip Randolph called
for interracial and interfaith co
operation for the purpose of abol
ishing discrimination and segrega
tion in the armed forces and tha
making of FEPC a permanent post
war agency. Extensive and enthus
iastic discussion followed the ad
drsaa.