The American Legion Magazine [Volume 85, No. 6 (December 1968)]

THE AMERICAN 20C-DECEMBER 1968

MAGAZINE

THE VIOLENT HABITS OF THE SOVIET UNION

Why the Russian suppression of Czechoslovakia

should have surprised nobody.

THE GROWING MENACE OF SLEEPING SICKNESS

THE STORY OF THE LIBERTY BELL since 1751

THE GREAT BOSTON MOLASSES DISASTER OF 1919

HE FOUGHT THE RED BARON

: ) :

The American DECEMBER 1968

Volunif 8 i, .\ umber 6

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Notify Circulation Dept., P. O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, Ind., 46206 using Post Office Form 3578. Attach old address label and give uld and new addresses with ZIP Code number and current membership card number. LEGION Also be sure to notify your P<>st Adjutant.

The American Legion Magazine Magazine Editorial & Advertising Offices 720 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10019

Publisher, James K. O'Xeil Contents for December 1968 Editor Robert B. Pitkin

Art Editor Al Marshall VIOLENT HABITS OF THE SOVIET UNION 6 Assistant Editor THE John Andreola BY R. B. PITKIN Associate Editors Why nobody should be surprised at what happened to Roy Miller Czechoslovakia James S. Swartz

Assistant Art Editor THE GREAT BOSTON MOLASSES DISASTER OF 1919 12 Walter H. Boll BY PRISCILLA M. HARDING Production Manager An Bretzfield A brief account of one of the—most ^inusual tragedies in the history of the United States when molasses spread death Copy Editor and destruction in Boston's North End. Grail S. Hanford

Circulation Manager SHOULD HAVE FEDERAL Dean B. Nelson WE Indianapolis, Ind. REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS? 16 SIDES A NATIONAL Advertising Director TWO OF QUESTION Robert P. Redden pro: sen. CHARLES H. PERCY (R-ILL.) con: sen. ERNEST GRUENING (D-ALASKA) Advertising Sales Representatives JE Publishers Representive Co. 8380 Melrose Avenue THE GROWING MENACE OF SLEEPING SICKNESS 18 Los Angeles, California 90069 BY RAYMOND SCHUESSLER 420 Market Street How encephalitis, spread chiefly by mosquitos and birds, is on San Francisi o, California 94111 the increase in the nation today. The American Legion Publications Commission: E. Pouer^. Macon. Ga. (Chairman) THOMAS NAST'S JOLLY SANTA CLAUS 23 James \ Benjamin B. Tru>ko>ki. Bristol, Conn. (Vice BY ERIK S. MONBERG Chairman); James K. k.-ll,->, Rmlnor, P,i.

i St. Nick is old, but the roly-poly Santa we know was the (National Commander' s Hrprf^rtttntii \ Lan^ Armstrong, Spokane. W H^h.; Charles E. Booth, invention America's earliest great of Huntington, ff. iu.: V.lolj.h F. Hremer. cartoonist. Winona, Minn.: Cc.i.

BY CURTIS KINNEY Sweeney, New York, .V. i'. ( Consultant reminiscence A of Snoopy's pet villain by one of the last The American Legion Magazine is published surviving WWl fliers who met the real Red Baron monthly at 1100 West Broadway, Louisville, in combat. Ky. 40201 by The American Legion. Copyright 1968 by The American Lepion. Second -cla^;? postage paid at Louisville, Ky. Price: single copy, 20 cents; yearly subscription, $2.00. Order nonmeraber subscriptions from the Cir- Departments culation Department of The American Legion. P.O. Box 1954. Indianapolis. Ind. 46206.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 2 LIFE IN THE OUTDOORS 46 Editorial and advertisiDg offices: 720 5th Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019. Wholly owned by DATELINE WASHINGTON 4 PERSONAL 51 The American Legion, with National Head- quarters at Indianapolis, Ind. 46206. William VETERANS NEWSLETTER 35 LEGION SHOPPER 55 C. Doyle, National Commander. NEWS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION 37 PARTING SHOTS 56 NONMEMBER SUBSCRIPTIONS Send name and address, including ZIP number, with $2 check or money order to Manuscripts, artwork, cartoons submitted for consideration will not be returned unless a self-addressed, Circulation Dept., P. O. Box 1954, Indian- stamped envelope is included. This magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. apolis, Ind. 46206. POSTIMASTER Send Form 3579 to P.O. Box 1934 Indianapolis, Ind. 46206

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 sir: Enjoyed reading "The Marvelous Model T Ford." It may be of interest to LETTERS TO THE EDITOR some that the 1916 Model T of the Thornwood Fire Department is one of the oldest in active service in New York not necessarily State. Letters published do ex- bought my first one in 1916, and I find press the policy of The American Legion. William A. Watt letters short. and address must his statement correct that there were no Keep Name Thornwood, N.Y. be furnished. Expressions of opinion and two alike. requests for personal services are appreciated, but they cannot be acknowledged or Charles H. Wolf answered, due to lack of magazine staff for Evansdale, Iowa these purposes. Requests for personal services which may be legitimately asked of The American Legion should be made to sir: Just finished reading about the your Post Service Officer, or your state (Department) American Legion Hq. Send Model T. I was the owner of three of letters to the editor to: Letters. The them and I never saw one with a door American Legion Magazine, 720 5tii Ave- on the front left side. I did see a sign nue. New York. N Y. 10019. on one that read: "To open, cut out on dotted line." ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN Glenn Pullen SIR: It was probably while your most in- San Gabriel, Calif. teresting November story on the division patches was on the press that the Army SIR: Just wish to say I drove a Model pulled a double switch. It changed the T from Colorado to Texas and back, later Thornwood's Mode! T name of the 101st Air Cavalry back to made a trip to Kansas, and also pushed the 101st Airborne Division, and the 1st it over the Continental Divide from Pu- PANAMA Air Cavalry back to the 1st Cavalry Di- eblo several times. Used it to collect SIR: "Are We Going to Give Away the vision. produce to feed my family during the Panama Canal?" (October) is a very Simon LeGendre tough years of the Depression, hauled good article. I hope it is reprinted be-

Brussels, Belgium wood in it for fuel and drove it to work. cause it is true and the information is

I was also kidded unmercifully about it. woefully needed. I wish readers would Yes indeed. And we got the word just Gus Reynolds consider the points you make on a prac- when it would have cost a pretty penny Pueblo, Colo. tical basis, but I am afraid that they will to have brought our story, then on the see it on the emotional basis of national- presses, back up to date. We applaud sir: I am one of five brothers all of whom ism. Panama must decide what she wants the restoration of the old names of owned the famous Model T, and I thor- to do and pay the consequences of that these divisions, and we don't see why oughly enjoyed the article. There is decision. All the world watches to see the Army ever wanted to throw into just one important omission in the ac- what happens next. the ash can the traditions of the 101st count and that is any reference to Auto Jean Niemeier Airborne at, say, Bastogne, or the 1st Polo. Poulsbo, Wash. Cavalry at, say, Manus and Los Negros, Chas. Fleischman by erasing the former identity of these Woodbtirn, Ore. sir: I hesitate to indulge in nit-picking proud divisions. a fine piece of writing, but in your article sir: Mr. Nash's article on the Ford was on the Panama Canal the authors state: THE MODEL T STRIKES A CHORD as good as a trip through a first-class "In the Spanish American War the museum. One thing I think should have U.S.S. Oregon tried to get in the Cuban sir: I read with interest Lyman Nash's been added was a description of action the Pacific, but the action article "The Marvelous Model T Ford" Auto from Polo, which it via (October). This car holds a special place was often played at fairs. was over by the time got there Three or four cars to a side, with a Cape Horn." in my heart. To this point, I have owned driver and a club wielder, in over 50 cars, but none to compare with took part I have records which show that the the event. The cars were stripped of the fabulous T. I owned four of the old Oregon, then at Bremerton Navy Yard, body and fenders. The object, of course, "tin lizzies," and loved every turn of the Washington, was, on March 7, 1898, and was to drive wheels. They were an enchanted vehicle a puck across the opposing in view of the worsening Spanish-Amer- team's goal. Because of their versatility, that always seemed to get through, no ican relations due to the Maine sinking, the T's were also rnatter what the conditions. often used to herd ordered to go to San Francisco for am- cattle. Joseph P. Pennell munition, from which port she proceeded Maple Shade, N.J. J. L. Whitcher under orders around the Horn to Jupiter Portland, Ore. Inlet, Florida, where she arrived on May fleet sir: I sure enjoyed your story about 24, 1898. She joined Sampson's and the Ford Model T. There can never be played a decisive part in the destruction of the Spanish fleet off Santiago, July 3, another car like it. Just right for the DON'T LET 1898. The Oregon, then, very much got time and place. You should have men- YOUR SUBSCRIPTION LAPSE into the Cuban action. tioned the Ford Wrench, which would BY OVERSIGHT. fit every nut from the spark plugs to the Thomas E. Godfrey Va. oil drain to the wheel lugs. It was the In order to insure Petersburg, only car I have been able to repair. continuity of your subscription R. K. Patterson to The American Legion That's what we thought, too. Regret- Grand Rapids, Minn. Magazine it is important tably, an "expert" persuaded us other- to be timely in paying wise so convincingly that we didn't go us. sir: I really enjoyed the article on the your 1969 dues. Between to the record. Shame on and are Model T. I am in my seventies, so you 60 90 days required to restore subscriber's can tell that I had some experience with a BLACK POWER A LA MAO to the mailing list them; I can remember almost all the name SIR: Your article, "The Communist Blue- things that author Lyman Nash wrote once it has been dropped. print for the American Negro" (Octo- about. By postponing payment ber), should be required reading for Mrs. Nellie McGinness of dues to your Post your every member of Congress. It should also Belvidere, Nebr. subscription may be inter- be sent to high-ranking Blacks all over rupted, and you could miss the country. several issues. sir: I enjoyed reading Mr. Nash's article. Horace J. Zahn I have owned five Model T's, having Jamestown, N.Y.

2 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 —

sir: I am glad you have the courage in FEDERAL FIREARMS CONTROL LAW publishing the truth as the facts brought sir: Those who complain because the out in "The Communist Blueprint for new Federal Firearms Control Law does dhe^azf the American Negro." Very few of to- not require owner registration of fire- day's popular news media do. You are arms obstinately insist that such reg- not afraid to espouse Americanism and istration would reduce the murder rate. dbbacco I with all the way. ^pe am you Why? For 34 years a national law has H. K. Beidler required firearms dealers to register San Jose, Calij. sales. Has this law ever deterred criminal use of firearms? sir: I was happy to see the article on In 1967, when there were over twelve the Communist blueprint for the Ameri- thousand murders, the U.S. Attorney can Negro. The American people are General obtained only 194 convictions desperately in need of being informed for violations of federal firearms laws. of the Red threat to this nation and our Nationwide, homicide prosecutions re- freedoms, which have been attained at sulted in but 23% of convictions for all such a high price. known cases. Crime statistics do not Miss Margaret E. Olson show how many of the few convicted Cokato, Minn. were allowed immediate probation or were given sentences so brief as to free them on parole in a very few years. sir: You deserve a big vote of thanks Doesn't for the article on the Communist blue- this make it indisputably clear that instead of more firearms registra- print. It was not only revealing but tion laws, really is shocking in its implications. Robert F. what we need ade- Williams bears elements of similarity to quate enforcement of existing anticrime Adolf Hitler, whose plans in "Mein laws? Kampf" seemed so grandiose and un- Hugh D. Adair reasonable that very few people took San Antonio, Te.r. him seriously. We need a more intensive educational campaign in our public schools, colleges and universities against A WARNING ON VIETNAM all Communist and similar activities. sir: "A Warning on Vietnam to the The American Legion, together with American People"' (September) and the other veteran organizations and the list of sponsors should get the widest help of civic and patriotic groups, has possible exposure. The vociferous dis- a full job ahead if we are to defeat for senters, while in the minority, are giv- all time Communism's plans to conquer ing strength to the determination of the the world. Communists to continue this war of at- ROSCOE G. LiNDER trition. The Reds will only consent to Maco7nb, III. end the war when they realize Ameri- Bond Street is for the man who cans are standing behind our fighting gets a lot out of pipe smoking. He men and [support] the civilized SIR: Thank you for a very enlightening desires Hkes to stretch out the pleasure of our government. article. I would like to see it receive with a pipeful that lasts him Carl H. Schooff wide exposure in the press to warn all awhile. Bond Street does, because Soiithold, N.Y. about this radical element. Perhaps, too, it's a combination of plugs and Negro Legionnaires could help put the flakes, for smooth and steady warning across personally. burning. Herman NON-MEMBER SUBSCRIPTIONS Miner Just to give you an idea: you De Fxiniak Springs, SIR: When my husband and I finish Fla. can watch about half of an old reading our American Legion Maga- Charlie Chan movie on one fill- zines, I take them to our local high SIR: You have rendered our country an ing of Bond Street. You'll be quite school library. The librarian tells me incalculable public service in publish- that the students find many articles that happy with the good Bond Street ing Mr. Knight's article. I would like to give them needed information on what flavor (and unless you're alone, see it put into the hands of every mem- is happening. Perhaps other readers someone will surely say some- ber of our legislative bodies, both na- would care to do the same, and perhaps thing nice about the aroma). tional and state, every member of the regular subscriptions to high schools clergy, all members of the teaching pro- could be made by donors. fession and all patriotic, fraternal and Mrs. E. R. Strain labor organizations in the nation. De- Hanjord, Calif. spite the fact that our American Negroes have legitimate grievances, they are at heart imbued with patriotic fervor and An individual non-member subscrip- are ready to defend the USA against all tion is $2 a year, while a Legion Post those who wish to destroy our way of m 30ND may provide gift subscriptions at a life. The rantings of Robert F. Williams STREET special rate of $1 a year. Some Posts are a great insult to the American give annual subscriptions to all school Negro and a menace to their future. and libraries Louis M. Mauro public in their towns. Numerous school and college libraries, Albuquerque, N. Mex. as well as teachers from grade school to university graduate schools, tell us SIR: I have read many times what many articles are of value to students, Robert Williams is advocating for our and regret that our magazine is not great country. Anyone who believes Mr. indexed in the Readers Guide to Peri- Williams is expounding propaganda is odical Literature. Gift subscriptions very wrong. He is extremely dangerous. may be ordered from Circulation Man- Mrs. Richard Parkman ager. P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis. Ind. Lights easy La Porte, Ind. 4620G. takes its own good time about burning.

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 3 ,

DATELINE WASHINGTON BETTER U.S. SUBS WANTED SINO-SOVIET TENSION RISES WESTWARD GO THE AMERICANS PEOPLE AND QUOTES The United States must build better quality submarines to overcome the numerical superiority of the Russiein LAW OF MEN, TOO underwater fleet, the Senate Preparedness Subcommittee "Many who say that ours is has warned Congress. a government of laws and not of The Soviet has more than 350 subs active, as against 146 men fail to realize that no law subs of our own Navy, according to the subcommittee. It is self-operative but must be insists there's no validity to the Pentagon's assiamption enacted, interpreted, applied that our underseas craft are, or will be, qualitatively and enforced by men." Sen. superior. Karl E. Mundt (R-S. Dak.) Fact is, the Senate investigators charge, many of our REFORM, NOT REVOLT submersibles are of WW2 vintage, or are diesel powered "U.S. must yield to change, instead of nuclear powered. Defense Department's program not to guerrilla insurrection." to build our sub fleet up to 69 nuclear powered and 36 Roy Wilkins, Executive Direc- diesel powered vessels by 1975 is insufficient to meet tor, NAACP. Russia's drive for underseas domination, the subcommittee asserted. CONTRIBUTES TO CRIME "The glorification of crime by The subcommittee urged the Defense Department to reeval- excessive and detailed report- uate its plans for our future fleet with the view to building in itself contributes to and ing more nuclear powered subs with faster speeds and with creates rnore crime." Dr. Her- dif f icult-to-detect operation. bert A. Otto, Director of Re- search, Stone Foundation.

U.S. SECURITY

Russia ' s invasion of Czechoslovakia, based on a new "Underlying our ability to doctrine that Moscow retains the right to keep Communist defend against most, if not all, countries on socialism' s true course , has lowered chances threats to our security is a free for a U.S. -USSR cold-war detente and increased the and vibrant economy." Sec'y of potential for a Sino-Soviet hot war. Commerce C. R. Smith. Peking, which has been waging a war of words with PROTEST—U.S. STYLE? Moscow since the ideological split ten years ago, has "This move toward more se- recently publicly expressed rising concern over Russia's cretive hit and run guerrilla intentions along their vast border. warfare is definitely the future The Chinese have charged Russia with a step up of aerial direction of protest in this coun- in incursions the wake of the Czech thrust. For its try." Edward E. Sampson, Pro- part, the USSR has apparently strengthened its army fessor of Psychology, U. of Calif. along the frontier, due to concern with Mao's claims on Kazakhstan and Kirghiz, once part of China's empire, AIR SAFETY PRESCRIPTION presently Soviet republics. "If we are to introduce SSTs, In view of the excesses and irrational behavior over the Jumbo jets and verticraft into past year of the Chinese Red Guards, the Russians can't the presently crowded tei"m- be sure that their Red neighbor will continue to limit inals and inflexible airways, we will need the most sophisticated its aggressiveness to verbal attacks . . . especially since Mao's lieutenants have been crying out for recovery communication, guidance and of "our lost territory. ..." control systems American in- genuity can devise to avoid air tragedies." Frank W. Lehan, Ass't Sec'y, Dept. of Transpor- Latest provisional estimates by the U. S. Census Bureau tation. disclose that 19^ million people dwell in California as LANDS OF THE FREE against 18. 1 million in the Empire State, which for decades "How would small nations led the way as our nation's most populous state. such as ours and many others The Americans ' trek westward over the past nine years enjoy their freedom if it were has increased the population of Nevada by 59%, to 453,000; not for the assurance of the o£ Arizona by 28%, to 1,670,000; of Hawaii b^ 23%, to support and assistance that the 778,000. Two other big upswings in population that took Government and the people of place during this period occurred in Florida, up 24%, to the great United States of 6,160,000; and Maryland, ug 21%, to 3,757,000. America provide." New Zea- And all that land in Texas also is filling up with land's Prime Minister Hol- people, now in fifth place with 10,972,000. yoake.

4 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 WILL YOU HELP LIGHT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS?

The Tomb and its Arlington surroundings are not lit at night now.

We are going to light them as our 50th Anniversary Gift to the Nation.

Please write check payable to AMERICAN LEGION GIFT TO THE NATION. Please use the address on the coupon below.

GIFT TO THE NATION Do Not Send Cash American Legion Nat'l Hq. Through the Mails. PO Box 1055 Indianapolis, Ind. 46206 Amount Enclosed $.

Here is my donation to our 50th Anniversary GIFT TO THE IF YOU HAVENT GIVEN NATION. I understand my name will be entered in the perma-

nent Legion Archives, and that I will receive a postcard ac- knowledgement, stamped with a March 15 First Day of Issue Legion commemorative postage stamp (none after March 15, YET WILL YOU PLEASE 1969). NAME (Print so clearly that your name may be copied GIVE H^OR MORE... into the Archives without chance of error.) ADDRESS

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NOW? Auxiliary Unit (number state). and

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If more than one donor, attach name, address and Legion unit of others, and state amount of enclosure (not less than $1) to be credited to each. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 5 Why the Russian suppression

of Czechoslovakia should

have surprised nobody.

By R. B. PITKIN

MOST SURPRISING thing about THEthe march of the Soviet army into Czechoslovakia last August 20. to suppress free speech and open politics with tanks and guns, was that anyone

was surprised by it. To those who knew and believed their

history, it was inevitable. Yet right up to that very morning some American editors and commen- tators and at least one distinguished editorial cartoonist expressed the belief that the Czech crisis was over. They believed that by simply talking up to the Soviets in an earlier conference. Czech leader Alexander Dubcek had called the Red bluff and won his ca.se for new freedoms for Czechoslo- vakia.

ung Czechs with anti-Soviet banner, Aug. 1968. On August 20, Soviet tanks rumbled into Prague, prelude to 600,000 troops that put down The Violent Habits

If bad guesses about the nature of Nat'l Convention that the changes in the different." It is the habit of the more Communism today were simply inno- Soviet Union are "of the head, not the unwary in the free nations to believe it cent mistakes—like picking the wrong heart." That's a warning we had better every time it is said. winner of the World Series—no matter. not be talked out of by a combination The butchery of the Kronstadt sailors But it is something else again when pres- of Red soft-line propaganda and wishful in 1921 was wiped from Soviet history.

sure is brought, as it is, to ease U.S. de- thinking here. The extermination of Russia's whole fense policies on the theory that Soviet It is part of the Soviet line, when faced class of landed peasants in the late 1920's

Communism has "mellowed" and is no with the reality of some new horror it and early 1930's was called a "passing longer brutal, violent and aggressive. has perpetrated against mankind, to say: phase," or a "revolutionary necessity." Richard Nixon told the Legion's 1968 "That was yesterday, today things are This involved the enslavement or murder

6 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DE ;MBER 1968 These events were capped by Stalin's purge trials of the late 1930"s—a mock- J ery based on extorted confessions by which the surviving "idealists" in the ruling party were executed around the clock by the thousands. Then came the Soviet betrayal of Allied aspirations in WW2, her massacre of the cream of the Polish army officer corps in the Katyn forest; her delay before besieged War- saw to permit the Nazis to wipe out the Polish underground there before the Red Army moved in: the .Soviet swallowing of eastern Europe under the heel of the Red Army; the rape of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and the wholesale destruction and deportation of their populations, and Soviet sponsored invasion of .South Korea in 1950. But all that is past. Now things are different, said "the line," as each of these brutal chapters passed into history. Yes. echoed hopeful voices around the world, now things are different. In the 1950's, Khrushchev erased the whole record of Soviet brutality up to

that time by blaming it on the dead Stalin. Many sighed in belief. They forgot that Khrushchev had engineered the extermination of the peasants under Stalin, and ignored Trotsky"s warning that Stalin did not make the cruel Com-

W IIIK WdHI.D

' .^JC^ imi: .. ti :1b' , Czechoslovakia's dreams of more freedoms. Russians have since "legalized" occupation. Soviets crushed resisting students. of the Soviet Union

of at least five million people—all So- even succeeded in getting the Western munist power bureaucracy, he only re- viet citizens. press to gloss over the deliberate starva- flected it. From three to four million peasants tion of millions as widespread "malnu- Soon the "different" Khrushchev was were forcibly starved to death on their trition," lest the journalists lose their sending tanks to slaughter workers in own farms in Russia in 1932-33, just credentials to report a politically juicy East Berlin; massacring Hungarians; to be rid of them, by the simple expedi- Moscow trial then pending for some erecting the Wall of Shame in Berlin; ent of the government expropriating British officers. flying in supplies, transportation, arms their crops and sealing off any relief. Later, Moscow admitted something of and military advisers for native Red Eugene Lyons, then a correspondent in the "famine," stressing that it was an forces in the Congo to battle the UN Moscow, has told how the Red regime unfortunate affair of the past. police force there; placing missiles in

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 •

CONTINUED WIDE WORLD The Violent Habits of the Soviet Union

Cuba and lying about it in the UN— only to baciv. out in the face of a direct show of force by President Kennedy; and deporting youthful dissidents in Moscow to slave labor on the farms of remote Kazakhstan. This brings us well into the 1960's. Yet, as recently as last year, while the Soviets were pouring arms into North

Vietnam to help subjugate its neighbors, powerful voices in America were urging the United States to let down its defense guard because the Soviets had "mellowed," and the Cold War was "a thing of the past." With a few concessions and normal trade we could bring about an "understanding" with Soviet Commu- nism, they urged.

In a West where memory is short and where false hopes so often seem real, it seems to take a Czechoslovakia every few years to reawaken us to the change- less violent habits of the Soviet Union. East German workers' revolt in 1953 (left) led In the more than half-century history Those killed probably well exceed 40 since 1918 have been held to get rid of of Soviet Communism, one central fact million, counting only the unarmed and these dreamers after they had helped has proved itself over and over again. In defenseless. They far surpass the sol- the Communists destroy older social 1918. the Communists under Lenin stole dier dead in the great wars since 1900. orders. the revolution of 1917 from the Russian The actual record makes the barbarities The Kronstadt sailors were not the people at gunpoint, to establish a Rus- of Hitler the work of a piker by com- .irst of Lenin's dreamier followers to be sian power structure with no thought but parison. erased piecemeal, but they were the first to impose it and keep it by force. Far Among Lenin's followers were those to be mowed down en masse in a hail from being a social revolution, its cen- who were the equivalent of today's so- of gunfire and house-to-house human tral aim was to subjugate the Russian cialist apologists for Communism, the extermination. people as the Czar had subjugated them. young and deluded "revolutionaries," That was in 1921. By then, in Russia, Its form was, and always has been, that and the intellectual "idealists" who the social dreamers knew they had been of a centralized tyranny in the model thought it was all in a great social cause. betrayed into setting up an implacable, of the world's oldest and most barbaric Many of the purges within Communism military empires.

Its dream was to use the Russian peo- WIDE WORLD 1956 BUDAPE SI" h ple and the Russian resources to extend that empire by force of conflict over the entire globe. Nothing in this century has been more obvious. Yet nothing has been so be- clouded by the repeated self-delusions of those who don't want to believe it

. . . out of what—fear? Like most great tyrant regimes of the past, Lenin and his followers knew that a religion and a faith were needed to support him, while the beliefs and faiths of the rest of the world must be under- mined. From the beginning, the Red So- viet regime espoused the social teachings of the 19th century German, Karl Marx, and held itself up as the "liberator of the oppressed masses," the champion of "the workers," of "the people," of all "peace lovers." In this century, the actual record of the "peace loving" Communists of Rus- sia and China in slaying and enslaving the "oppressed masses," "the workers" and "the is people" beyond all count. Hungarian revolt in 1956 was brutally crushed by Soviets. Brief studer

8 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 BERLIN \VII>K WORLD butcher them abroad as well as at home. That's what Stalin's purge trials of the

late 1930s were all about, too. Stalin represented the naked, despotic Party tyranny. But throughout his bureaucracy were high officials among the Old Bol- sheviks, who still thought that the Lenin power seizure had had ideals and social purpose.

Stalin's Party machine, with its secret police and mock courts, cleaned them out with firing squads from top to bottom. First he put them through the far- cical trials in which—given some hope of being spared—they confessed to imaginary treasons before they were lined up and shot down nevertheless. The greatest of the Old Bolsheviks. Trotsky, escaped. But Stalin followed him in the person of an obedient young assassin who finally sunk a pickaxe in Trotsky's brain in Mexico City in 1940. After the Stalin purges, none were left in the inner party of Russia who really believed in any social cause, and there's no sign that there have been any

since. Marxism is for external preach- massacre by overwhelming Soviet might (right). ment only, and is altered to suit the needs of the tyranny. power-hungry bureaucracy, intent only what Czechoslovakia's crime is today. There is a question today whether on enlarging on the privileges of the Czar Many escaped official extermination most Americans ever heard of the Kron- for the new princes of the little Com- in the early 1920s by killing themselves. stadt sailors. The Soviets and their agents munist Party in-group. At that time Moscow and Leningrad saw abroad wield powerful and subtle In that year. Lenin and Trotsky sup- three to five revolutionary dreamers erasers. The tale should be told in some pressed the workers in Petrograd, and (they'd be perhaps the equivalent of detail in all our schools, for it is history's moved swiftly to annihilate the protest- some of America's Students for a Demo- prototype revelation of the true nature ing Kronstadt sailors whose guns had cratic Society of today) kill themselves of Communist bureaucracies. The dilTer- put Lenin in power. Then, over a period every day. Leading poets, intellectuals, ences between Kronstadt in 1921 and of years, they, and Stalin after them when idealists who had "manned the barri- Czechoslovakia in 1968 are only differ- Lenin died, steadily executed the intel- cades" for Lenin shot themselves, took ences in detail and management. lectual revolutionaries who were still poison or simply expressed open here- You can find a condensation of Alex- talking about social justice—which is sies, then quietly awaited arrest and ex- ander Berkman's account of Kronstadt ecution. The OGPU followed some, to in the book "Verdict of Three Decades." WIDE WORLD edited by Julien Steinberg and published by Duell, Sloan and Pearce in 1950. In brief, after the fall of the Czar in 1917. the Russian people called for their first elected Constituent Assembly in

1 9 1 8 to write a constitution and establish Russia's first peoples' government in all history. Lenin set out to seize power for his little Bolshevik group (the Commu- nists of today). The Bolsheviks did not get a fourth of the vote, so Lenin drove to take over with a mixture of lies and armed force. He persuaded the sailors of the Czar's old fleet, based at Kronstadt. that the elected assembly would "sell out" the revolution. If the "people" and the "workers" were to have their freedom and their rights and their glorious to- morrow, the sailors must come quickly with their rifles and send the Constituent Assembly home, to leave the seats of power to the Bolsheviks.

Believing every word of it, the sailors came and lined the halls and aisles of

'ebellion (left) was ground under by Soviet military (right). the Assembly as it met. At Lenin's bid-

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 Q —

to slavery in the frozen north until they CONTINUED died, while 35,000 were slain in the city and naval fortress. When Berkman killed The Violent Habits of the Soviet Union himself he still believed that "Kron- stadt!" would one day be the rallying cry ding they leveled their guns at the dele- sailors massed in an open air rally at of the overthrow of the Bolsheviks. In-

gates while Bolshevik lieutenants or- Kronstadt on March 2, 1921, to air stead, it has been erased from Soviet his- dered them to go back home where they their grievances. They drew up a reso- SOVOPOTO came from. For a brief hour or so. Vic- lution that asked, among other things: tor Chernov, a favorite of the Russian freedom of speech, press and assembly; farmers, was the chairman of the only the right of private ownership, and an elected government Russia ever h^d end to control by just one party. It was

its one-day parliament of Jan. 18, 1918. about what the Czechs demanded in

When Chernov took the chair he was 1968, though in this case it was what harassed with insults and interruptions Lenin had promised when the sailors' by the gun-backed minority Bolsheviks. rifles had helped put him in power.

( Bolshevik means majority in Russian, Lenin's response was swift and set the

and it is typical of the Communist use pattern that the Kremlin has followed of words.) ever since. He ordered Kronstadt de- "Every sentence of my speech was stroyed unless the sailors surrendered, met with outcries, some ironical, others and sent Trotsky at the head of Red spiteful, often buttressed by brandishing Army troops to quell the rebellion. of guns," Chernov wrote of the Assem- Trotsky reached Petrograd March 5, and bly later. Finally, a group of armed sail- forwarded to Kronstadt an ultimatum ors simply came up to Chernov and or- that the sailors would be gunned down

dered him to leave and close the Assem- "like partridges" if they resisted. At the bly. He resisted at first, then declared same time a high Party meeting in Pet- a recess until noon. Outside, friends per- rograd announced falsely that the sailors suaded him to avoid his auto, where were in league with officers of the de- Lenin's assassins awaited him. When the posed Czar, and declared war on them. Kronstadt sailors, who helped put Lenin In delegates returned at noon, the hall was The sailors, who advertised that they power, were exterminated by his orders closed by armed men with machine guns had not and would not hurt anyone un- in 192L They wanted promises kept. and two pieces of artillery. "Thus ended less attacked, held to the fanciful hope Russia's first and last democratic parlia- that the Russian masses would join in tory and all but forgotten in the West, ment," wrote Chernov. their protest. They failed to take any too.

And what of the Kronstadt sailors countermeasures, such as using their "My husband is dead, and I do not who aided Lenin in this, believing his ships to plow up the ice and prevent mourn him for now he is free from all promises to help the "oppressed?" In troops from crossing to their island naval this." So wrote a peasant woman on

1921, Lenin and Trotsky had cemented base from the mainland. They simply Feb. 1, 1931, from a nameless slave their power machine, but the "oppressed did not believe that the men they'd help labor camp in northern Russia, chronicl- masses" were more oppressed and hun- put in power would actually open fire ing a terror of forced labor inflicted on grier than ever. In Petrograd (now Len- on them, so they awaited Trotsky's ar- her and inillions of peasants torn from

ingrad) the workers asked that the Bol- rival as if it were a conference coming. their land by the Communist Party be- shevik promises be kept, and they dared "We are most concerned that no blood tween 1927 and 1933 to make way for to go on strike. The party machine put should be shed," they had said on March the state farms. If they had any land, them down mercilessly. They were 3. The "conference" opened with shore they were kulaks, and Stalin ordered the locked out of their plants (the "lock- batteries shelling the island while Red liquidation of the kulaks, stressing that

out" is a "capitalist villainy" in the Red troops in white capes crossed the ice and it must be a pitiless extermination. jargon), and the workers were denied swarmed over their fortress. Khrushchev, who'd later blame it all on their ration cards, without which no one The sailors fought with a fury that Stalin, was the chief engineer of the liq- could eat in Lenin's new "heaven." amazed their assailants, but they were uidation. In Kronstadt, the sailors were outnumbered. On March 16, Kronstadt Soviet agricultural statistics listed shocked. They sent a committee to see fell. Nearly all the defenders who sur- 5,618,000 kulaks in 1928. Without ex- if the Petrograd rumors were true. The vived the final assault were executed. planation of the disappearance of 5V2 members of the sailors' committee that Men, women and children in Kronstadt million grubbers of the earth in six went to Petrograd haven't been seen were slaughtered, in an orgy of revenge years, similar figures for 1934 listed since. They probably ended their lives as carried out by Lenin's deputy, Dibenko. 149,000 kulaks. The move to extermi- slaves in Siberia. Nightly for several weeks captured sail- nate the kulaks got under way toward The sailors, joined by others in Kron- ors were led from the jails to firing the end of 1927, when the Kremlin stadt—including Red Army troops there squads. spread false rumor that a famine was —protested. Local Party leaders warned Alexander Berkman, a Russian-born threatening—though harvests were good. them that no protests were allowed. Per- American anarchist had hastened back The "famine" was declared to be a crime haps the protestors did not know that to Russia with revolutionary enthusiasm of the kulaks, and Stalin mounted a cam- three years earlier, when Lenin heard of after the fall of the Czar, to be welcomed paign of persecution against them. a suspected plot of White Russians in as an intimate of the Bolshevik leaders. In 1929, having set the stage, Stalin Novgorod (in August 1918), the suspi- Sickened by what the Communists had announced that he was going to settle cion was all he needed to fire off a tele- done to the revolution, and especially the "kulak question" once and for all. gram to local Party authorities to "in- Kronstadt, he turned against the Party, By the hundreds of thousands they were

troduce immediately mass terror, shoot wrote revelations about it for some 15 sent to the frozen north as slave labor ." and deport. . . years and killed himself in France in in mines, mills, construction jobs and Fed up with the tyranny. 16,000 1936. Many in Kronstadt were exiled lumbering. From children of 12 to men

10 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 and women of 70 they were worked 16 the Party seized much of the land for lages from the North Caucasus to the hours a day with no days of rest, issued the farm collectives, which were Ukraine. Wrote William Henry Chani- no clothing, fed starvation rations, de- promptly so mismanaged that a real food berlin: "What we found was little short

nied receipt of pacicages from home on shortage arose. The Kremlin turned the of the worst we had heard . . . Stories of

various pretexts—virtually worked to shortage into a famine on the land by whole families that had died off . . . death. Pitiful letters that got out told forcibly taking all the crops of the re- Stories of cannibalism. A dreary, pov- how they managed to clothe themselves maining peasants to the cities, for con- erty-stricken, miserable population, shak- in rags, hut lost their feet to frost and sumption and export. ing with malaria, in the once-fertile Ku- starved to death wholesale in the savage In a genuine earlier famine Moscow ban Valley, now overgrown with a thick winters. had sought and received food aid from crop of weeds." ". . . We feed." wrote one. "on differ- abroad. But in 1932-33 the Party closed This was the end of the kulaks. Esti- ent kinds of grasses, just like beasts." off the starving farmlands from all out- mates of the "famine" dead ran as high "How can one live on half a pound side help. In that terrible winter, due as ten million down to a conservative of bread a day and then walk 10 to 30 to what The New York Times then re- four million, and not under three million

kilometres to work?" wrote another. ported as "no starvation . . . but . . . by anyone. Commenting on the Ukraine in 1933 Kalinin said: "Politi- WIDE WORLD December cal imposters ask contributions for the "starving" in Ukrania. Only degraded dis- integrating classes can produce such cynical elements." Not a Ukranian dele- gate "had a word of contradiction." Chamberlin noted. A pet Soviet method to make extermination "palatable" is to level accusations at the victims for a period of time. Then, using the accusations as a verdict, to pro- ceed with the liquidation. This was done hurriedly in Petrograd with the Kron-

stadt sailors. It was done with the kulaks, starting in 1927. by blaming them for all of Russia's food problems. Before marching into Czechoslovakia in 1968. the Czechs' demands for minimum freedoms were first interpreted in Soviet blasts as part of a "conspiracy" of Czech "counter-revolutionaries" with "Western imperialists." When he was done with the kulaks. Stalin turned to "suspected elements" in the Russian cities, including party officials who did not see eye to eye with him. By now. of course, many of the old Obedient peasants "demonstrate for state farms (1929), sealing their own doom. Leninists had had a word or two to say

They weren't supposed to live. "To at- widespread mortality . . . due to malnu- about how different the Communist gov- tack the kulaks means to smash the trition." millions died on their lands.* ernment was from what Lenin had pre- kulaks, to liquidate them as a class," said The following October (1933) a press tended it was to be back in 1917-18. Stalin at a 1929 conference. party finally was allowed to visit the vil- The party purges began in a modest Though this was the fate of perhaps way with the leadership calling in party one to two million, some three to four ' Eugene Lyons: "The Press Corps Conceals cards in various areas and reissuing a Famine." from his "Assignment In Utopia," million remained on the farmlands. Now 1937. {Continued on page 47)

SOVOFOTO

Scenes at mock trials, part of Stalin's purges that exterminated fess." Right, Vishinsky (center) as trial judge, reading false ac- thousands of Soviet officials. Left, witnesses ready to "con- cusations. Some of the executed were cleared after Stalin died.

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 11 By PRISCILLA M. HARDING

At midday, on January 15, 1919, /\ Boston, Mass., suffered a disas- XJL trous flood of molasses. The first official word came from Pa- trolman Frank McManus. He was calling in his noon report to Boston's Han- over Street police station. It was the usual report—then a pause—then his voice came booming back on the line: "Send all available ambulances, all police, everybody! There's a wall of molasses coming down Commercial Street!"

It was a mild, sunny day. a real treat for Bostonians, whose weather at that time of the year usually runs to the dank, lowery variety. By late morning, many residents were out of doors, basking in the pleasant, midwinter warmth. In the city's North End, a bustling market district flanked by private residences, Mrs. Bridget Clougherty, a 68-year-old widow, stood in the doorway of her three-story home on the corner of Copp's Hill Terrace and Commercial Street enjoying the sunshine. Nearby, under the Elevated that ran along Commercial, the traffic was heavy. Trucks, drays and bug- gies rattled over the cobblestones. Along the riverside, teamsters and draymen, taking advantage of the day, were eating their lunches on the loading docks, while horses munched their oats. Across from Mrs. Clougherty's home and bordering the Charles River was the heart of the North End, a complex of industrial buildings, city departments, freight terminals, boarding houses and small import' export firms. Here, too. During its most destructive moments, the tidal wave of molasses reached a height of 15 feet was the office of the Purity Distilling Co.. a subsidiary of the U.S. Industrial Alcohol Co.

Squatting beside it was a molasses storage tank. The tank, a fat, iron monster, 50 feet high, 282 feet in circum- The Great Boston ference, with a capacity of over 2 million gallons, rested between the Charles River and Commercial Street and dwarfed all other buildings around it. Molasses was as much a part of Bos- ton as baked beans; ever since there was a Boston, the thick, murky liquid had played an important part in Yankee trade. One firm which depended on molasses was the Purity Co., whose distillery was in Cambridge, across the river from its storage tank and offices at 529 Commercial Street. Ships from the West Indies would tie up at the wharf in Bos- ton's inner harbor and pump their contents into the immense tank. Then, at night, tank cars from the distillery would rumble over the elevated railway, siphon off the thick, brown syrup and take it to

Cambridge where it would be turned into high-powered spirits. Before the First World War these spirits were mostly rum. But this was 1919. Prohibition was just one day and Map of Boston's North End, showing impact of explosion and directions that molasses a single state's vote away from reality. flood took. It settled over two blocks; in its aftermath were 21 dead, 150 injured.

12 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 housands of tons rolled along at 35 mph, enveloping people, horses, trucks and bulldozing buildings off their foundations.

Molasses Disaster of 1919

uary, not when thousands of tons of A brief account of one of the most unusual tragedies in the sticky stuff are on the loose. It has been estimated that the gooey wall, the history of the United States — when molasses spread which packed a real wallop, was rolling along about thirty-five miles an hour. While McManus watched helplessly, death and destruction in downtown Boston, people, horses, even trucks vanished as the suffocating mass enveloped st^bles. the fire boat station, and effortlessly bulldozed several buildings off their Companies either change with the times ing, he saw black liquid gushing from or go out of business, so Purity Distilling the bottom of the tank. Then, there was foundations, sweeping them into North was now making alcohol for industrial a series of zaps ("Sounded like a ma- End Park. purposes. There was plenty of raw machine gun." a man later said) and the Six employees in the Public Works terial on hand. Only a few days before, tank wall opened out in swinging door Department, eating their lunch in a near- tankers pumped 2 million gallons of fashion, disgorging a syrupy sea two by open yard, were caught in the path of molasses into the giant tank, the largest stories high. McManus was the first the flood and died where they sat. Sev-

volume it had ever contained. known eyewitness to the bizarre, sticky eral days after the disaster, workmen Shortly after 12:30. Patrolman Mc- disaster that killed 21 persons and injured found the body of a teamster, complete Manus rang his precinct from the call more than 150. Before his unbelieving with his horse and wagon, embedded in box near the foot of Copp's Hill. He was eyes a tidal wave of molasses swept into the molasses. They presented a ghastly in the midst of his report when he heard the North End section. tableau, frozen in the position they'd a low rumbling noise behind him. Turn- Nothing is slow about molasses in Jan- held at the time they were hit. Another

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 13 CONTINUED The Great Boston Molasses Disaster of 1919 who met death in the explosion was away wreckage of the Clougherty house James Lennon, brother-in-law of John L. that had been swept under the rail tres- Sullivan, the old-time boxer. tle, one of the men heard a kitten meow- Pedestrians were trapped in the thick, ing. All work came to a halt while a cou- black syrup. One boy tried to outrun the ple of the workmen crawled into the pile sticky tide. He tripped, landed sitting up, of timbers and rescued the animal, "little and was swept into the harbor on the the worse for wear for her few hours im- crest of it. A tug fished him out. little prisonment.") the worse for wear except for a good Destructive as it was, the molasses was scare and a molasses bath. Two firemen not the only danger. Witnesses heard no escaped being crushed in Engine Com- loud explosion, only a low rumbling, fol- pany 31 by jumping from a window. lowed by a succession of sharp reports The building had been torn from its which were the rivets popping out like foundation and lifted ten feet toward shirt buttons. Nevertheless, the tank the water. More than 20 horses in the burst with tremendous force. Charles Public Works Department barns either Whitney was driving his horse and buggy smothered or were so badly injured they along Commercial Street at the time. With blast, tank's contents are loosed had to be destroyed. Homes and busi- The horse was blown out of its shafts: and steel walls become deadly shot. nesses which did not collapse had their the buggy was crushed. Whitney escaped basements and first floors filled with mo- with a broken leg and a molasses bath. whereupon the forward wheel trucks of lasses. A truck driver for the Blackstone Supply the first car jumped the tracks and the One witness, a Mrs. Mary Musco, said Company sufi"ered two broken legs when train shuddered to a halt a few feet short she saw the Clougherty house tear loose his rig hurled by the blast was into North of the drop-off. from its foundation, "fly through the End Park. Fire wagons and ambulances rushed air," and split in two under the elevated Parts of the tank wall became deadly to the scene and into molasses up to railway in a maelstrom of people, steel, missiles. One section weighing over two their hubcaps. A naval training ship, the timbers, drays and molasses. "I knew tons landed in North End Park, nearly U.S.S. Nantucket, was moored at North there were people in the house," Mrs. two hundred feet from its starting point. Pier. There was a call to quarters and Musco said, "and 1 ran into the street Another iron projectile flew across Com- the first thing one hundred gobs knew, for help. Soon, sailors and other people mercial Street, neatly severing supports they were double-timing across North came and I went back into my own for the elevated railway. The trestle col- End Park, part of the rescue team. house. I was terribly frightened. ... It lapsed, leaving the rails dangling like Sailors from other ships tied up nearby was awful. I knew those people were remnants of a broken erector set. Just were also called in, and firemen, sailors killed and I saw people running every at that moment a train bound for North and police waded through molasses up way all covered with molasses. They Station came pounding around the bend to their knees to reach people trapped in were hollering and crying. My house at North End Park. the weakened buildings. Very shortly, rocked." "All I could see was molasses rushing all the rescuers were steeped from top A Boston newspaper reported the next toward me." said the brakeman. Hor- to toe in the dark goo, which gave them day that one entire section of the tank rified, he yanked the emergency cord. a peculiar copper color. ripped out and the great sweep of this COURTESY OF THE BOSTON GLOBE huge slab of steel created a tremendous rush of air which, in turn, created a vac- uum of such force that it pulled the Clougherty's house off its foundation.

"I thought I was a man overboard." was how Martin Clougherty later described his experience. Clougherty was a popular athlete, an amateur boxer and referee. His excellent physical condition enabled him to save himself and his sister. Asleep on the third floor when the tank burst, he awoke to find himself floundering around in several feet of molasses. Not surprisingly, it didn't dawn on him that he was standing in several feet of molasses. He thought, instead, that he had somehow been blown into the harbor. Freeing himself from the wreckage, Clougherty thrashed about until he caught hold of a bed headboard. Luck- ily, his sister was nearby and he managed to pull her over to his makeshift raft. A neighbor, struggling through the morass, rescued them. Mrs. Clough- erty, who had been enjoying the sun a few seconds before, was killed. (Later, when Elevated employees were clearing Rescue workers trudge through molasses toward house blown under Elevated.

14 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . D ECEMBER 1968 Rescue operations were a nightmare. intendent of the Purity Distilling Co. bells was heard. They were tolling in The molasses was a cross between glue Around noon, the telephone rang in his celebration of ratification of Prohibition. and quicksand; people trying to help got office, which sat beside the big tank. It The men stopped their work and looked stuck themselves, and some died in their was White's wife calling. She asked him up as more and more bells rang out.

attempts to save others. It took strength to join her to look at a dress she was Soon, every church in Boston joined in. just to wade through the syrup, which thinking of buying, after which they Amid the chiming, the workers returned accounted for a brief comedy touch would have lunch downtown. White ac- to their sticky task.) when a bevy of nurses arrived, decked cepted her invitation and left his office During the afternoon, when the rush out in freshly starched uniforms. They immediately after. of the torrent had subsided, harbor po- bravely marched into the slowly settling At its peak, the flood reached 15 feet lice were kept busy sweeping the river, flood only to be pulled out soon after, and. at its lowest point, was ankle deep. salvaging merchandise thot had been looking not so much like angels of mercy Its greatest width reached 100 feet, and swept from the area's stores. They hauled as creatures from the Black Lagoon. before the onrush petered out. it covered in five rolls of cloth, five rolls of tar An aid station set up in Haymarket two city blocks. The sticky stream settled paper. 19 boxes of oleomargarine, a bale of cotton, cheese cloth, a barrel of bottled ale. five gallons of floor dressing and tubs of butter and lard. Rescue workers, using calcium lights, labored around the clock. By the end of that first day. 12 bodies had been found. The fe:ir that there were more was realized when nine bodies were found a week later under remnants of the tank and in the cellar of the Bay State Electric Freight Company. Property damatje ran into many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Equally as sticky as the molasses was

the legal morass it created. Insurance company representatives and policy holders fought over contract interpreta- tions. More than one hundred damage suits were filed in the Boston courts. Many of the petitioners were blue collar workers who could not get off the job

to attend court during its regular hours, and to accommodate them, hearings often continued until ten o'clock in the evening. Six years and some forty thousand pages of testimony later, the cases were settled out of court for a total payment of over a million dollars. An investigation, begun the day after the disaster, closed without giving an official reason for its cau c. One theory was that a small leak developed and en- larged under pressure of the molasses Nurses bravely entered the flooded area, got stuck, had to be rescued themselves. working its way out. Another held that Square quickly filled with groaning, by mid-afternoon and Bostonians began fermentation within fhe tank built to ex- struggling people who looked like Brer tracking molasses all over the city and plosive proportions. The distillers Rabbit's tar baby. Molasses coated them into the suburbs. For the next week bus claimed anarchists sabotaged the tank from head to toe. blinding them, and and street car .seats were as gooey as all and they built and blew up three tanks filling their ears, noses and mouths. The day suckers. Even phone booth receivers attempting to prove their point. Proba- only treatment was o cut away the wore a sugary coat. bly the tank was taxed beyond its ca- soaked clothes and try to wash off the Actually, "settled" was a good word pacity when it took in those 2 million syrup with warm water. because the molasses was proving impos- gallons of syrup. Unable to retain this

Relatives, worried about family mem- sible to clean up. Firemen tried to wash record load, it gave way with disastrous bers working or living in the area, be- away the goo with high pressure hoses. results. sieged the station, adding to the confu- It refused to budge. Finally, someone Today, a handsome aquarium stands sion. One young man was looking for his suggested bringing up fireboats alongside on the wharf, with a fine restaurant and mother. "I came home." he said dazedly, the wharves and pumping salt water on the Boston Yacht Club occupying floors

"and there wasn't anything there." He the mess. The brine cut the syrup and above it. No sign remains of the great had returned from work to find that the the firemen were able to flush it down molasses flood. Urban renewal has come small brick house he and his mother oc- the sewers. That was only the beginning. to the North End. old buildings are fall- cupied had vanished, as had his mother. Months of scraping, scrubbing, scouring ing under the wrecker's ball, new apart- Their home had been swept across North and painting went by before the area was ments are rising.

End Park and deposited in the middle back to normal. (Around eight o'clock You can believe it or not. but some of the field. on the evening of the 16th. as clean-up old-timers insist that on hot. muggy days One fortunate workman who escaped crews were still laboring to get rid of a sickly sweet aroma can still be detected the direct force of the blast and almost the tons of molasses, the sound of church in the North End. It s faint, they say. certain death was William White. Super- ILLUSTRATED BY TOM SHOEMAKER but unmistakablv molasses. the end THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 15 .

WASHINGTON Opposing Views by Congressmen on Tlie Question . . PRO & CON I

SHOULD WE HAVE FEDEHAU

YES" MEANINGFUL CONTROLS on guns and ammunition are guns and ammunition in now the law of the land. October. I supported These controls represent, in my judgment, a re- amendments to provide sponsible reaction to the tragic events of the last nine for registration of weapons months, to recommendations of J. Edgar Hoover and and licensing of gun own- other respected law enforcement officers, and perhaps ers, hopefully by the more importantly, to the will of the people. states, but unfortunately I have received 100,000 pieces of mail about gun these were not enacted. controls since the death of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy by The registration and an assassin's bullet in June. Most urged more controls. licensing of cars and We now live in an era marked by an extraordinary drivers have not inhibited amount of criminal violence. At the peak of this rising the use of the car but have Sen. Charles H. Percy statistical graphline of violence and tragedy are the contributed greatly to the (R-lll.) figures on the number of crimes involving firearms. benefit of the motoring We have been shocked at the ever-lengthening public. So it would be with registration of guns and roster of public figures killed by guns—Robert F. licensing of their owners. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, With proper control of firearms, we could have pre- George Lincoln Rockwell, Malcolm X. No portion of vented a juvenile shooting a block from my home in society has been excluded, no part of the spectrum of Georgetown on a recent night. We could also have national leadership exempted. prevented the impulse murder of two Marine officers It is often argued, "Guns don't kill, people do." A the next night, in a sandwich shop six blocks from my more accurate statement is, "People USE guns to kill." home. In countries with restrictions on guns and ammunition, The indiscriminate use of firearms must stop. This the rate of gunshot homicides is less than in our land. is the time to continue action toward that end. It would Gun laws are by no means the only answer to the not cost the registrant a single cent and the incon- current eruption of violence in our society. But venience would be virtually nonexistent. It would help through enactment of comprehensive firearms laws at prevent criminals, juveniles and the mentally deficient all levels of government, we may keep these weapons from owning guns. It would not interfere in the from some of the people who are likely to misuse them slightest with hunters (and I am an enthusiastic one) and we will encourage a more responsible attitude and any responsible citizen owning or bearing arms. toward owning guns. I concurred with the overwhelming majority of Senators and Representatives who enacted controls on handguns last spring and added controls to long

If you wish to let your Congressman or one of your Senators know how you feel on this big«i

16 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS?

IN THE PAST MONTHS, the must join in "gathering food for the table." hue and cry for the In addition, because Alaska substantially lacks speedy enactment of fed- roads, Alaska is the "flyingest" state in the Union. eral gun control legislation Under federal regulations, a private pilot's license can has at times approached be obtained at the age of 16. However, because of the panic. danger inherent in a forced landing on some of the Although there is an rough terrain in Alaska inhabited by predatory wild- obvious need of acting life, Alaska law provides that no airman may make a against the mounting inci- flight inside the state unless at least one firearm with dence of crime, I shall ammunition is carried. continue to vote against The 16-year-old airman can thus either disobey the restrictive gun control state law and take a chance of Sen. Ernest Gruening being mauled or killed provisions (D-Alaska) which bear no by a bear, or of starving, if he is forced down; or he relationship to the prob- can disobey the federal law and follow the state statute lems involved, and which deprive an individual of the enacted for his own safety. Why should the federal right to defend himself against attack either by man government force this choice upon him, and to what or beast. end? The passage of hasty, ill-conceived gun control It must be recognized at the outset that there is legislation affects the very safety of many of the resi- absolutely no way in which a law—federal, state or dents of Alaska. local—can be devised to prevent with certainty, guns It is indeed ironic that much of the recent furor for —or, for that matter, any other potentially lethal strong federal gun control legislation erupted after the weapon—from falling into the hands of individuals de- tragic killing of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in California termined to use them to kill or maim themselves or —a killing which took place in a state which has one others or to use them for the commission of crimes. of the strongest gun control laws in the nation. Obviously gun control regulation should in the first It is high time that we concentrate on our domestic instance be the responsibility of state and local govern- problems—and work to repress and eliminate the ments. Unless there are urgent and compelling reasons causes of crime. More restrictive gun control legisla- for doing so and none have — been shown to me—the tion is not the answer to this problem. federal government should not preempt the field of gun regulation. In many parts of Alaska, where the villagers depend for their subsistence on fish and game, the proposed minimum age for the ownership of guns would cause an unbearable hardship, since all members of a family

I have read in The American Legion Magazine for December the arguments in PRO & CON: Should We Have Federal Registration of Firearms?

IN MY OPINION WE SHOULD HAVE FEDERAL REGISTRATION SHOULD NOT HAVE FEDERAL REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS. sue, fill out the ''ballot'' and mall it to him. SIGNED. ADDRESS.

TOWN. STATE.

You can address any Representative c/o U.S. House of Representatives, Wash- ington, D.C. 20515; any Senator c/o U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510.

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 I7 —

The virus, magnified 65,000 times. Mosquito-to-bird-to-mosquito is usual encephalitis cycle, but same mosquitoes may bite mm

The Growing Menace ofl

By RAYMOND SCHUESSLER most common forms are spread by mos- How encephalitis f spread mainh,^ quitoes and birds, hence it is related to THE WAR OF MAN against disease, mosquito control and bird control. INone of the most maddening things A couple of generations ago encepha- is the capacity of nature to "open litis was unknown as a human disease in

a new front" just about the time we hu- the United States. It was at that time litis in this country three generations

mans think we are making headway. half-serious, half-joke. That's because it ago, nobody recognized the fact. One

This winter we have the example of the was known to attack horses and its ef- human form of it was described in 1895.

influenza virus popping up with its new, fect on horses was such that it was called Nothing like even a small epidemic was or Hong Kong, variety. "the blind staggers." The "blind stag- noted until 1917. A few isolated cases, For some years now a once "rare" gers" became a sort of joke, because the always recognized as extremely serious,

and often deadly or crippling—disease name was also used humorously to de- were identified over the next 1 5 years.

has been dangerously on the rise in the scribe extreme drunkenness in humans. Not until 1933 did it flex its muscles, United States. That is the disease that There was nothing funny about a to plague St. Louis with 1,000 cases. It

Americans call "sleeping sickness." horse with the blind staggers. It would revisited St. Louis in 1937, and on a Its proper name is encephalitis. It oc- walk in circles and cross its front legs smaller scale had occurred in Cincinnati,

curs in many variant forms. They difi'er as some comic-strip horses do. It would Ohio, and Paris, 111., in 1932. When four in detail in the way they are transmitted, stagger blindly and bump into objects. different American varieties were finally and in their severity. If pushed to walk straight ahead the ani- identified (not to mention sub-forms),

It is a virus disease, and is no relative mal fell to the ground and exhibited that one was given the name St. Louis at all of the African sleeping sickness walking movements while down. Horses encephalitis. The St. Louis form now transmitted by the tse-tse fly. Even in its with encephalitis usually died in from ranges through all the states west of the technical aspects encephalitis is of public 48 to 72 hours of the onset of symptoms. Mississippi, as well as Florida, New interest as well as medical interest. Its If humans were in danger of encepha- Jersey, Tennessee and Kentucky.

18 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . D ECEMBER 1968 PHOTO I!i:.SK MlCIIi:!! their steady increase and spread is dis- turbing, considering the evil nature of the disease and the close association of

its hosts and carriers with human habitations. Birds are the commonest hosts of three varieties of the virus—almost any birds that are familiar to us. Dr. Donald Stamm has identified 24 bird species that are susceptible to St. Louis encephalitis, and 52 and 51 species, respectively, that are susceptible to two other variants of our own sleeping sickness. Young house sparrows and pigeons have been closely associated with several epidemics of encephalitis, possibly only because these

/lost common birds are hosts. Swamp, above, a breeding area for mosquito carriers.

Sleeping Sickness

y mosquitoes and birds, is on the increase in the United States.

It has frequently struck in epidemic pects of a plague city. Forty trucks form in Texas localities. A 1954 epi- sprayed ponds, bayous and ditches where demic in the Rio Grande Valley infected mosquitoes might breed, while helicop- 163.9 people out of every 100,000. ters sprayed open water that trucks Texas never had a recognized encepha- couldn't reach. Residents lined up at fire-

litis death until 1954. Since then Texas houses to get free insecticides for use outbreaks have been recognized almost around their homes.

yearly in the late summer and early fall. Corpus Christi had 1 1 cases in July-

Because encephalitis has great potenti- August. 1965. In 1966. it had 78 cases alities for causing death or permanent and four deaths before the entire city

injury, it does not take a large number was sprayed with a powerful insecticide, of cases to constitute a serious epidemic. called malathion. by a fleet of planes, Texas had 16 cases and two deaths early one morning while residents were

(known) in 1956. In 1958 there were 72 advised to stay indoors until it settled. cases and several deaths. A 1964 epi- At the same time Dallas suffered 100 demic caused 32 deaths in Houston, with cases and seven deaths, while Fort The area of attack in man is the spinal cord 254 confirmed cases and more than 400 Worth, Amarillo and Plainview, Tex., & brain. Fatality rate is high. Brain and suspected ones. That wouldn't be many were also alTected. nerve damage is severe in many survivors. common colds, but Houston took on as- If the numbers of cases aren't great. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE DECEMBER 1968 19 CONTINUED thought to be fairly well restricted to horses before then. The virus was first The Growing Menace of Sleeping Sickness isolated from horses dying in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware in 1933. birds live so intimately with people. those under ten or over 40, but the young No human case was known in New Jersey until 1959, when Drs. M. Gold- Transmission from bird to man is adult group is not immune. It has the field and O. Sussman studied an out- most often by mosquito. When a man is highest fatality record of the dominant

break involving 3 1 bitten by the "right" mosquito he will encephalitis forms in the United States, recognized human begin to feel ill all over from five to 15 cases of which 21 were fatal. It began days later. His thoughts become confused, he walks clumsily, hands shake and jaw trembles. He goes to sleep often. He has an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Consider the history of a victim in Florida, where very few cases had been reported before 1959, when 68 were identified, in 1961, 25 Tampa Bay cases caused seven deaths. Then 28 died in St. Petersburg the next year, as suspected cases there hit 556, with 200 confirmed. Today only two of Florida's 67 counties have not reported cases. A particular Florida case was a retired man living with his wife in a trailer court. He surrounded his home with shrubs and potted plants. One day he complained of a rash of mosquito bites. Several days later he had nausea and chills. Ne.xt day he had a severe head- ache and high fever. By the end of that killing about 66% of those who show symptoms, according to the U.S. Public day he was mentally confused. States reporting one or more mosqui- Heahh Service. Among survivors, brain On the third day he became drowsy to-borne encephalitis cases during damage can be severe. Fortunately east- the 1965-66-67 and had convulsions. A hospital test three-year period ern equine is infrequent. So far it seems showed that he had St. Louis encepha- • ST, LOUIS litis. The Board of Health found a num- A: WESTERN ber of mosquito-breeding sites around EASTERN the trailer—water in tin cans, plant + CALIFORNIA dishes and bird baths. The man recov- ered but suffered brain damage. the last week of August, peaked in Sep- The viruses of our sleeping sickness tember and lasted until October's sec- varieties disrupt or destroy nerve cells ond week. All human cases occurred in spinal cord and brain and frequently within ten miles of the coastline, match- damage small blood vessels supplying the ing a pattern in other seacoast outbreaks. brain. Early symptoms may be mistaken To see if in milder form the outbreak for flu, with nausea, chills and fever. had been more widespread, antibody But drowsiness, confusion, double vi- tests in the affected area were made volunteers in sion, stiff neck and speech difficulty may from the blood of 2,070 soon set them apart. The patient may In an outbreak of encephalitis, health U.S. PUni.IC HEALTH SERVICE NATIONAL COMMUNICABLE not remember how to eat or tie his shoe- officers come into area to pinpoint sources of virus. Above, checking mosquitoes. laces without stopping to figure it out.

Sometimes, in children, tantrum be- to be restricted to the Atlantic and Gulf havior marks the onset of the disease. Coasts, chiefly in August and September. In severe cases, coma and convulsions It is transmitted among birds by a com- may follow. Then death, or whole or mon swamp-breeding mosquito. Cidi- partial recovery ensue. setta nielanura. This mosquito seldom The increase in encephalitis is the bites men or horses, but various species more serious because even when it is not of common Aedes mosquitoes are be- fatal it may bring on permanent brain lieved to be the principal means of mov- damage, neurological disorder and men- ing it from bird to horse, or bird to man. tal retardation. Such dire consequences Like the other forms, eastern equine vary with age, and with the type of the was not considered a disease of man in infection. Many people have such mild the United States until quite recently. cases of some forms of encephalitis that The first recorded human outbreak was identification is often dif!icult, but those in Massachusetts in 1938, with smaller who survive acute eastern equine en- ones there in 1955 and 1956. Some cases cephalitis seldom make a complete re- occurred in Louisiana in 1947. In the covery, and are often left paralyzed by 1938 outbreak there were "only" 27 brain damage. cases, but two-thirds of them died. East- Net to trap birds without injury to check Eastern equine is commonest among ern equine got its name because it was them for spread of encephalitis infection.

20 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1968 the next year and a half. Of them, 44 probably don't think they deserve to In this case the La .\Iottc group of —or 2.1% —showed evidence of recent have the last identified major variety of scientists predicted the week by week eastern equine infection. Subsequent encephalitis pinned on them. It was Cali- progress, in advance and in writing, of tests in New Jersey showed that both fornia's bad luck to have the group of extensive western equine encephalitis in

eastern equine and western equine en- California encephalitis viruses isolated Colorado in 1965. They published it a cephalitis (which we haven't discussed in Kern County in 1943. This form actu- month before the first human case was

yet) occurred in a large area of New ally occurs mostly in the midwest, it at- recorded (a scientific first), and it was Jersey, and not just along the shore. tacks mostly youngsters and is not as a complicated piece of prophecy going Further tests showed that birds weren't deadly as some of the other varieties. into rainfall and temperature that spring the only hosts—antibodies were found in So far it is unique, in that the chief and their relation to mosquito breeding.

many species of mammals, reptiles and U.S. AIR rORCE amphibians.

Until 1964, St. Louis encephalitis had never been recognized in the Middle At- lantic States. Then, in the area of New Jersey near Philadelphia, a concentra- tion of suspected cases of sleeping sickness was shown, in lab tests, to be the St. Louis variety. The largest blood survey for viruses ever made in the country checked antibodies in the blood of 7,851 people in the infected area—or one tenth of the population. One in every 54 showed evidence of previous infection. Cases continued in the area in 1965.

Western equine encephalitis is another misnomer (in fact none of the varieties has the most apt name). It was long known—and hence named—as a horse disease. But horses, like men, are more or less accidental victims of what

is basically a bird-mosquito-bird cycle. Although considered the mildest form, western equine kills from 2% to 10% Air Force mosquito-spraying to quell 1966 Dallas epidemic, when 100 were stricken. of humans who are acutely infected. Children less than one year old who get identified hosts in the United States are bird movements and bird nesting.

it are frequently left impaired or re- not birds, but rodents. The Colorado Health Department

tarded. It strikes all human age groups, Deaths from it are few. There was a publicized it, and both official and pri- while other forms have high peaks death in Wisconsin in 1960. The Minne- vate Coloradans took extraordinary among the older and the very young. sota Medicine magazine of Nov. 1967 mosquito extermination steps near hu- It is most prevalent in the western two- stated: "Each year in late summer and man habitations. thirds of the nation, though, as we have early fall physicians in the area of the Scientists staked out "sentinel chick- seen, it has been identified as far east Mississippi Valley see many youngsters ens" to be tested for dates of infection. as Jersey. New and adults ill with possible encephalitis Horses were watched, as they usually

If the St. Louis of . . Chamber Com- infections . Recently, evidence has come down with the disease a few weeks merce probably doesn't like being pegged accumulated that California virus is ahead of humans. Everything went as with a widespread variety, Californians active is this area and the number of re- predicted, from the population of the lljEASE CEN'TEIi ported cases has increased remarkably key mosquito (C. tarsalis for western over the past several years." equine) to the infection of chickens, In 1964 and 1965. outbreaks of Cali- horses and humans. The tarsalis mos- fornia encephalitis were found in many quito population rate and chicken infec- parts of the midwest, particularly Ohio, tion rate hit an all-time high. For want

Indiana and Wisconsin. In the past two of anything to compare it with, nobody years, cases have been found in North could say how much the advance pre- Carolina and Florida. cautions had cut down the human epi-

There is no medical remedy for en- demic. It happened. How much worse cephalitis now known, nor any man- it might have been, nobody knows.

made vaccine for it. Nor, in general, is This kind of prediction is based chiefly there any way of predicting an outbreak on the life cycle of the particular mos-

of it in order to take emergency meas- quito, on its blood-feeding habits, and

ures that will prevent it. But so much is on its chances of getting a lot of water known, as a result of extensive investi- to breed in at the right time of year. It

gation, about climate and rainfall condi- is also related to the nesting period of tions most favorable to a local epidemic the more common birds, since young in drier areas that the journal "Progress birds without antibodies are the best of Medical Science" last March pub- donors of active virus to mosquitoes. lished an extensive report on successful Connect an unusual mosquito crop, predictions of outbreaks, especially that timed to the nesting period of birds (and Horses may be infected before humans; are tested early when an epidemic is feared. of La Motte, et al. you do this by relating it to expected THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 21 CONTINUED assurance that these antibodies are enough to protect them from reinfec- The Growing Menace of Sleeping Sickness tion. Human encephalitis is so newly rec- ground water for the mosquitoes), and liicker was found while both human and ognized that the Encyclopaedia Britan- nica never an article it until its in Colorado and some other places it is mosquito infections were often asso- had on possible to pull off such a miracle of ciated with chickens. The chief mosquito 1926 edition. Its association with birds prophecy. carrier was Culex pipiens. and mosquitoes was not then noted, nor But actually predicting outbreaks in In Cameron County. Tex., conditions had any of the viruses been identified. areas with regular abundant rainfall in that were ripe for a big mosquito crop But it was already recognized that many the warmer seasons—or with extensive held sway in 1957. and on top of that people suffer less severe forms, and in swamps— is not so simple. Why Florida there had been a greater and earlier nest- these forms doctors may not recognize or New Jersey, or some of the Gulf ing of Cameron's great supply of wild it for what it is. Then, as now, it had MoyiRIS COUNTY MOSQUITO EXTKRMINATION COMMISSION

Two photos of mosquito control in Morris County, N.J. Jersey had no reported ence phalitis until 195'i . - j _ since.

Coast states, should have local encepha- birds, due to the recovery of the citrus often been mistaken for influenza, men- litis outbreaks in one year, and not an- tree growth from frost damage of a few ingitis, and several other afflictions in- other, when every year is a pretty good years before. White wing doves were at cluding, occasionally, stroke in older one for mosquitoes, is obviously a com- an eight-year population peak. people. Even today, every review of an plex question. There, the chief carrier had a Latin epidemic includes the unearthing of The U.S. Public Health Service and name larger than the mosquito itself "suspected cases." Some are proved not other health agencies have sent teams to {Culex quinquejasciaius). It was the vil- to be encephalitis, while others are firmly investigate numerous sleeping sickness lain in Houston, too. There, in 1964, identified as such. If an epidemic is outbreaks in the past—Houston in 1964: conditions for its breeding were excel- identified in, say, August, a recheck of Calvert City. Ky., in 1955; Tampa Bay lent. Bluejays, mocking birds, domestic illnesses with similar symptoms in the in 1962; Cameron County, Tex., in 1957, geese and pigeons were "resident" birds same area reported in June and July etc. found infected in Houston. usually produces many suspected cases Around Tampa Bay in 1962, the par- Most probably, an abnormal supply of encephalitis, some confirmed. In of nestling birds without previous in- Houston, 60 earlier cases and 12 deaths fection, combined with a plentiful sup- were marked as probable or possible en- ply of mosquito carriers, are the chief cephalitis in 1964, once the epidemic keys to an outbreak of sleeping sickness. was recognized.

But there may be more to it. The disease, U.S. Public Health officials are incidentally, does not seem nearly as even hesitant to say for sure that en- fatal to birds as to humans—quite pos- cephalitis is on the increase, or whether sibly because their small bodies can more it is our recognition of it that is. In its easily build up enough antibodies. Communicable Disease Center (Atlanta, If young birds are the more probable Ga.) report on the Calvert City epi- sources of an epidemic, older humans demic of 1955, the investigators noted generally suffer the worst. In many of that almost nothing was known of St. A muskrat. Rodents, not birds, are the outbreaks studied, the older human Louis encephalitis before 1932, but in chief hosts of California variety. population showed the highest death rate leviewing old hospital records in St. ticular mosquito {Culex nigripalpus) that and most serious after damage. Next in Louis going back to 1919, "Hartmann carried St. Louis encephalitis there was line for serious effects have been the very found an excess of cases clinically com- at a five-year peak of density, while 17 young, those under ten and—in some patible with viral encephalitis." In short, species of birds and five of mammals cases— infants. because it wasn't recognized much ear- were found infected around Tampa Bay. From many investigations it is plain lier, you can't prove conclusively In Calvert City. Ky.. in 1955, the mos- that some people are infected without whether there is uwre encephalitis now quito population had risen because of showing symptoms—whether because of or simply more that is identified. There's the industrial impounding of water and natural resistance, especially in the mid- no way to change this, because hard waste products in a four-mile slough that dle years of life, or for other reasons is facts for earlier years are not and won't made a "formidable source of mosquito not known. Many people have proved to be available. production." No "unusual" infection have been infected only by discovering But opinion is that the disease is more among birds was noted. One infected antibodies in their blood. There is no {Continued on page 50)

22 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 Thomas Nast's JOLLY SANTA CLAUS

THE EARLY CHRISTMAS spirits WCrC often horrid devils come to frighten children into being good. Even the early St. Nicholas, as patron saint of Christ- mas, was often one ready to punish or frighten the naughty. Thomas Nast, the American artist, drew the first happy, roly-poly Santa "Hello! Santa Claus!" "Hello! Little One!" Claus. While reporting the Civil War in 1862, Nast drew our Santa for the cover of Harper's Weekly. It showed Santa Claus astride his sleigh handing Christ- mas gifts to the overjoyed troops at the front. Thomas Nast invented the lovable Santa Claus, and later drew him in picture situations showing him atop the chimney with a sack of Christmas toys, about to start his descent into the fire- place, while his reindeer and sleigh await his return. Again he showed little Johnny with high expectations on Christmas Eve hanging up his stocking at the fire- place. In later Decembers Nast drew the children writing their Christmas letters to Santa Claus at the North Pole. Again he showed Santa Claus in his workshop making toys and dolls, decorating the Christmas tree, keeping an account of the youngsters' behavior and rewarding good children by personally putting the toys and gifts under the Christmas tree and around the fire. These images—sprung from Nast's mind and hand—now belong to all of us. They evoke in young and old the wonderment, joy, expectation and excitement of the approach of Christmas Day. Nast's creation has become a tradition and custom, uniquely American, that the other countries of the world have adopted into their Christmas festivities. Two of Nast's Santa Claus drawings published in Harper's Weekly in 1881 and 1884 are reproduced on this page. They reflect that quality of tenderness in childhood that was a facet of Nast's crea- tive talent. His spell of enchantment left its mark on us all forever—one hopes. Erik S. Monberg

New York bibliophile Erik Monberg has specialized in collecting Nasi drawings. CAUGHT!

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 23 AUTHENTICATED NEWS INTERNATIONAL The Story Of The Liberty Bell Since 1751

The fascinating true story of the Liberty Bell, how it was cast and recast^

when it really got its crack, what its tolling meant for Philadelphians.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION By PAUL DITZEL

STANDING IN ITS wishbonc-shaped yoke in Philadelphia's Independ-

ence Hall, the Liberty Bell is silent today. More than two million visitors a

year come to see it. Some remove their hats while others reach out and run their hands across its rough surface and touch its famous crack. For 215 years the Liberty Bell has weathered its infirmities—variously diag- nosed as a "malignancy of the molecules." "distemper" and the "wobbles." It has narrowly escaped destruction at the hands of an enemy, and on two later occasions there were those who said the

Liberty Bell had outlived its usefulness and should be sold or auctioned as junk and melted down. In 1965. three members of the Black Liberation Front were

arrested in a plot to dynamite it. together with the Washington Monument and the Statue of Liberty. Famous, things, among other for hav- Artist's depiction of 'The Bell's First Note" is fanciful, and thereby hangs a tale.

ing tolled to announce the Declaration ri'l.VKR PICTURES of Independence in 1776, the bell was hung in the crotch of a tree in the State then nearly a quarter century old. It House yard. But Philadelphia had grown had already tolled the story of our so that Penn's bell was now too small

worsening relations with England before to be heard by all when it summoned as- the revolution. In fact, its story starts semblymen to meetings, courts into ses- back on October 16, 1751. On that day sion and called the citizens to hear offi- the Assembly of the Province of Penn- cial proclamations. sylvania voted to buy a bell for the wood Then. too. 1751 was the 50th anni- tower being built onto the State House, versary of Penn's Great Charter of Privi- a building which one day would become leges, which had granted full religious better known as Independence Hall. The freedom and more personal liberty to Quaker assemblymen did not then vis- the province than any other colonists en- ualize it as a national symbol to come. joyed. The new bell would, therefore, They had two homelier ideas. serve as an appropriate memorial. So There was already a public bell to an- they'd get themselves a big and beautiful Isaac nounce news or summon meetings. Some Norris. In 1751, he obtained one, with golden tones, they hoped. the bell for Philadelphia from Eng- historians say the older bell was brought bell of the size envisioned the land. He chose the inscription No by to the province by William Penn and "Let Freedom Ring." assemblymen had been cast in America.

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 25 Two famous events proclaimed to Philadelphians by the Liberty Bell were the Declaration of Independence and the Boston Tea Party.

CONTINUED the complete text, Norris chose 14 of the words of the 44-word verse and or- The Story Of The Liberty Bell Since 1751 dered the inscription "well-shaped in There was. indeed, doubt that there was the Third Book of the Old Testament. large letters": PROCLAIM LIBERTY even a bell of that size anywhere in the God, speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND land for them to copy. The legislators tells him the Israelites must commemo- UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS instructed Assembly Speaker Isaac Nor- rate their liberation from Egypt by hold- THEREOF. LEV. 10. xxv. The words ris to obtain one from England. The ex- ing a jubilee every 50 years: took on so much additional mean- act size and weight of the bell and its "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, ing 25 years later that to this day there is inscription were left to his discretion, and proclaim liberty throughout all an erroneous tendency to assume that the with the concurrence of his fellow State the land unto all the inhabitants there- inscription refers to the bell's proclama-

House Superintendents. Thomas Leech of: it shall be a jubile unto you; and tion of the Declaration of Independence. and Edward Warner. ye shall return every man unto his That is only one of the misconceptions Norris was a wealthy and scholarly possession, and ye shall return every that have attached themselves to the Quaker with a profoimd knowledge of man unto his family." story of the Liberty Bell. the Bible. For the inscription, he turned Realizing that the circumference of Two weeks after the Assembly's de- to Chapter 25. Verse 10, of Leviticus. the crown of the bell would not permit cision, the superintendents wrote to Rob- INDEPENDENCF, NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

First of many trips taken by the bell was overland to Allentown, Pa., to prevent British from melting it down for shot.

26 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 The bell was back in Philadelphia in time to toll joyously on the occasion of Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown. ert Charles, the provincial agent in Lon- The crack aside, Norris was also dis- compared with the London foundry fa- don. pleased with the tone of that one clang. cilities.

"We take the liberty to apply to thee," He considered it "too high and brittle," Pass and Stow sledgehammered the they said, "to get us a good hell, of about and dourly realized that there was no bell into chunks small enough to fit into two thousand pounds weight . . . and for- guarantee that the Whitechapel Foundry their melting pots. Before casting the ward it by the first good opportunity, as could do better. new one. however, they melted down a our workmen inform us it will be much But now came forth two young Phila- few of the pieces, mixed the mass with less trouble to hang the bell before their delphia foundrymen, John Pass and other metals, and cast several smaller scaffolds are struck . . . which will not John Stow, Jr. They said they would bells which they tested for sound and be done till the end of next summer or like to try to cast a new bell from the strength. beginning of the fall. Let the bell be cast Whitechapel metal. The assemblymen At last all was ready. Pass and Stow, by the best workmen, and examined accepted their offer, although the Pass their shirtsleeves rolled up and long ." carefully before it is shipped. . . and Stow foundry was pathetically crude leather aprons covering their red knee They sent a bill of exchange to serve CHARLES WATERHOUSE as a down payment on the bell, transportation charges and insurance. The desired text of the inscription was also forwarded. Charles engaged the foremost English manufacturer of church bells, Thomas Lester's Whitechapel Foundry, London, to cast the bell. Late in the summer of the following year the bell arrived in Philadelphia, with much fanfare. Impa- tient to try it out, the assemblymen ordered it set up in the State House yard and Philadelphians gathered round to hear its first ringing clang. Unfortunately, the bell had but one clang in it. With the first stroke of the clapper, the bell cracked. As you'll see, this was not the present crack. The cha- grined and dismayed superintendents and assemblymen were in a quandary. The bell could not immediately be returned to London, because not a ship could be found with space aboard to carry the thing. A year or more might pass before another bell could be obtained. By that time, the tower would be completed, and the scaffolding disman- tled. INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

The bell was packed up on a flatcar to go to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

CONTINUED a second celebration was even discussed. Philadelphians, apparently satisfied to The Story Of The Liberty Bell Since 1751 let well enough alone after waiting nearly two years for this bell, paid scant britches, tended the molten metal bub- cause "they were so tiezed with the wit- notice to the fact that Pass and Stow, bling in the cauldrons beside the glare ticisms of the town." in their zeal to cast a bell which would of the glazing furnace. They were per- Pass and Stow vowed to try once ring out loud and clear, made one error. spiring profusely, as were several assem- more. Failing, the bell would be returned Their misspelling of Pennsylvania re- blymen (including Norris) who, having to England. So they melted the whole mains to this day for all the world to see. come to watch, took off their tri- thing down again. In their second mix- Discontent with English rule was al- cornered hats and broad-brimmed ture, they probably added a quantity of ready growing when the bell officially Quaker headgear. tin to restore the tone which the excess tolled for the first time, August 27, 1753. Pass and Stow began ladling the metal. of copper had destroyed. Some sources It called together assemblymen who It "ran well" into the "masterful mould." voted to continue issuing Province say 1 Vi ounces of copper was added to to said Norris. He judged the quality of the each pound of bell metal. Otherwise, money in direct violation of orders lettering on the inscription to be better the Justices of their second bell was nearly a duplicate the contrary from Lord than the original. After the bell cooled, the Crown. help insure the fullest at- of the first. And // is the Liberty Bell we To it was hauled to the State House yard know today. tendance, so that as many views as pos- where a large crowd had gathered for sible could be heard during the develop- It stood 5 feet 3 inches tall and the celebration. ing crisis. Speaker Norris was empow- weighed 2,080 pounds. It was 12 feet in Slowly, the huge bell was hoisted by ered to fine assemblymen one shilling circumference around the bottom, or lip; ropes and pulleys, while workmen on the (later increased to 2 shilling 18 pence) IVi feet around the crown; and 2 feet scaffolding steadied it, swung the hulk- if they had not taken their seats within 3 inches over the crown. The bell was ing thing into place in the tower steeple half an hour after Andrew McNair, as- thickest— 3 inches—near the lip and and secured it to a wooden yoke. A great sembly doorkeeper, tolled the bell sum- tapered to a IVa inch thickness toward cheer went up from the crowd as the bell moning them into session. The fines went the crown. Six loops were cast into the was tolled and festivities started. For the to the Pennsylvania Hospital for charity. apex for attaching the bell to a yoke. occasion, assemblymen had approved Other purposes were found for the The clapper was 3 feet 2 inches long. the purchase of 14 pounds of beef, four bell, too, much to the good fortune of Into its knob was cast a handgrip for hams, a 13-pound cheese and 36 loaves Doorkeeper McNair. His annual salary swinging the clapper against the sides of bread, all of which was spread out on did not cover ringing the bell on special of the rigidly mounted bell. picnic tables. To wash it down were 300 occasions, such as its use to call together The in- limes for squeezing into punch, three "PROCLAIM LIBERTY" parishioners of St. Paul's until they got scription encircled the crown. Immedi- gallons of John Jones' rum and a barrel their own bell. So he was paid extra for ately underneath were these additional of Antony Morris' beer. it. There was, however, a discordant note words: "By order of the Assembly of But not everyone felt kindly toward underlying the celebration and the dis- the Province of Pensylvania for the State the bell. Philadelphians who lived near cussion that followed it during the next House in Philada. Pass and Stow. Phil- the State House complained to the as- ada. few days. Instead of the loud, clanging MDCCLIII." sembly about it. They were "much in- tone of the bell that everybody expected, The new bell was hauled to the State commoded and distressed by the too fre- the Pass and Stow bell went clong. One House, hoisted to the tower and mounted quent Ringing of the great Bell . . . the account says the sound resembled that on a long crossbeam, 6 by 20 inches inconvenience of which has been often of two coal scuttles being banged to- thick. Although the tone of the bell felt severely when some of the Petition- gether. Pass and Stow were mortified; aroused some debate, everyone agreed it ers' families have been affected with sick- the more so, according to Norris, be- was acceptable. There is no record that ness, at which times, from its uncommon

28 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . D ECEMBER 1968 VPl LTI

In 1915, it was taken to San Francisco for the Panama-Pacific Expo, where it was greeted by starred and striped schoolgirls.

BArHO GUILI.UMETTE PICTURES size and unusual sound, it is extremely proval of a resolution, "to associate, for

dangerous, and may prove fatal . . . the the purpose of defending with arms, Petitioners, therefore, intreat the House their lives, liberty and property against to interpose and relieve them from this all attempts to deprive them of them."

great and dangerous inconvenience so While history is not clear on the point, far as to prevent the ringing of said great the bell probably summoned delegates Bell on any other than public Occa- to meetings of the second session of the sions." Continental Congress during the month The assembly tabled this petition, but of debate that led to the adoption of the took action on another bell problem. Declaration of Independence, July 4. They voted to strengthen the tower after 1776. The bell was not rung on that day. tears were expressed that the vibrations however. The decision was made to wait from the frequent bonging of the bell until noon, Monday, July 8, for the offi- might cause the steeple to collapse. cial proclamation. Extra time was Meanwhile, the bell was punctuating needed to publish and distribute copies

history as it was made. of the Declaration to the colonies, to Right up to the meeting of the second Gen. George Washington and to arrange Continental Congress, the tolling of the what was expected to be a great public State House bell marked the deepening celebration. crisis with Great Britain. It called to- Monday, July 8, dawned bright and gether the assembly which sent Benja- clear and the sun promised that the day min Franklin to England to solicit re- would be a hot one. By noon, the crowd dress of grievances. Its clapper was gathering in front of the State House

muOled October 31, 1765, when it tolled came to several thousand. But it was not a dirge as the Stamp Act became effec- as great as on some other occasions, tive. perhaps because of the heat. Three years later, the bell called mer- Col. John Nixon, an ardent patriot, chants to the State House to protest Par- mounted a platform and read the Dec- liamentary Acts prohibiting the ". manu- . laration. . We hold these truths to facture of hats, woolen goods and, espe- be self-evident, that all men are ere ;tcd cially, the making of iron and steel. After equal, that they are endowed by their news of the Boston Tea Party reached Creator with certain unalienable Rights, Philadelphia, the bell summoned citizens that among these are Life, Liberty and ." to hear resolutions denouncing, as ene- the pursuit of Happiness. . . mies of their country, buyers and ven- Afterward, as the crowd cheered, Mc- dors of tea. Eleven days later, Decem- Nair set the State House bell to pealing ber 27, 1773, the tolling bell assembled forth and all the church bells of Phila- a huge crowd in front of the State House. delphia joined in. The bells "rang out all They resolved to prevent the Polly, an day and almost all night," said John English tea ship standing in the Dela- Adams. ware River, from landing its cargo in In later years, many false stories rrose the city. The ship sailed away. about the bell that July, at least two of Following the Battle of Lexington, which were widely believed. The first the bell rang once again and the crowd held that the famous crack in the bell Independence Hall, where the bell started its career and is still on public view. of 8.000 that gathered cheered their ap- (Continued on page 52)

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 29 I fought the Red

A reminiscence of Snoopy*s pet villain by one of the last sur-

viving WWl fliers who met the real Red Baron in combat.

ker triplane and fell victim to his amaz- ofiicer who told me to try my luck with ingly skillful maneuvering and deadly the Royal Flying Corps. Its name was machine gun bullets. Or that the famous changed to the Royal Air Force in April Red Baron would escape my fire—only 1918. Age limit for that outfit was 25. to be shot down the very next day by At that time I was past 29 years old. At one of my comrades. the RFC recruiting ofiice on Fifth Ave-

During al! my young manhood I nue I answered the grizzled British ser- wanted to fly. When the United States geant-major's questions.

entered the war against Germany, 1 al- "How old are you?" With no hesita-

Author Curtis Kinney as a cadet in most shouted "Here's my chance!" tion I replied: "Twenty-five, Sir!" witli Canada Royal Flying Corps, Oct. My home town was Mount Vernon, So on August 1, 1917, in Toronto, an 1917. Behind him, his Curtis trainer. Ohio, but, a graduate of the Massachu- eighth generation American who had setts Institute of Technology, I was been turned down by his country swore By CURTIS KINNEY working in New York City. I went to a allegiance to King George and his heirs Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps, recruiting office to break the glad news forever. World War 1 that I was available— for the flying serv- Then followed the flying training. WHEN Charles M. Schulz' be- ice, of course, which in those primitive First, in Canada and Texas, it was the loved beagle. Snoopy, in the days was a part of the Signal Corps, Curtis "Jenny" training plane used by Peanuts comic strip, goes into U.S. Army. Then the blow fell. The re- both Canadian and American student his dreamworld role as a World War One cruiters turned me down because of a pilots, then the British Avero in Eng- aviator he may scream at the night sky, defective ear. land, and finally the "Sopwith Camel"

"Curse you. Red Baron!" At the M.l.T. Club I ran into a British near the battle line in France. It was It is no secret to many Americans that the original Red Baron was no comic strip character. He was the very real German Baron Manfred von Rich- thofen, who Flew a flaming red Fokker plane. He shot down an incredible count of 80 of our Allied planes. The day after

I had a brush with him in the skies over France in the spring of 1918 and lived to tell the tale, he was himself shot down.

I do not know if there are any others still living who tangled with Von Rich- thofen in the air. Many hundreds of us shared Snoopy's desire to bring the Red Baron down, and shared Snoopy's frus- tration at being unable to do so (if we were lucky enough to meet him in the air and come home alive).

I did not know, when 1 went to Can- ada to join Britain's Royal Flying Corps in 1917, that it would be my lot to tangle with the man who was already the greatest flying ace on either side of the battle line. His full name was Baron Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen, known, respected and feared as the "Red Baron" of Germany. I could not have foreseen that in my one encounter with this deadly foe, over Snoopy from PEANUTS © 1967 United Feature Syndicate the trenches near Amiens, France, I would be saved the fate of so many Al- Snoopy, the Peanuts beagle, cursing the Red Baron in his dream role as a WWl lied aviators who met his bright red Fok- aviator. At least the older generation knows that the Red Baron was no figment.

30 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 —

only 14 years after the Wright brothers had made history with their first pow- Artist's depiction of RIchthofen's 79th ered flight at Kitty Hawk. "Flying ma- kill, as pilot Kinney moves in on his tail. chines" were still crude, fragile things The Baron downed No. 80 before his end. —an engine fastened to a frail fuselage, wings of wood and fabric between struts held together with wire. But they flew and that was all I needed to know. My Sopwith Camel had a wing span of 28 feet and was 1 8 feet 8 inches long. Its empty weight was 889 pounds, less than some saddle horses. It carried 37 gallons of "petrol," enough for two and one-half hours of flying. It had a 110 horsepower Le Rhone rotary engine, with a torque that had to be taken into account every moment in flight. When I reached the front, Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron, had gained the reputation as the most daring and skillful flier, the most honored hero of the war. All our fliers, pilots and observers—English, Canadian and Ameri- can—were required to learn all they could about this German scourge of the

ILLUSTRATION BY JACK McCOY .... ^^'•."ari:/ THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 31 :

CONTINUED ment word reached the German High "I honored the fallen enemy by placing Command that a young Dutch aircraft a stone on his beautiful grave." I fought the engineer. Anthony Fokker, working in From then on. Baron von Richthofen Germany, had invented a gear that surpassed all his comrades on the Ger- Red Baron would synchronize with the turn of the man side of the Western Front in kills engine and allow a machine gun to fire from the air. He was calm, calculating air, and either to stay out of his way or through the whirling blades. The British and completely fearless. He never took to shoot him down if possible. After the improved the device by an impulse any needless risks to show off his brav- war, I read with intense interest his through a tube of oil which activated the ery. He insisted on using a trigger on his diaries and notes. trigger. It was still hard for me to believe machine guns, instead of the inventor's He was the eldest son of a nobleman that this could be done when I joined button, for as a hunter he felt more at whose estate was in Silesia. In 1904, at the Royal Flying Corps, but in all my BROWN liRO.S. I never heard of the age of 1 1, he entered military school. experience at the front In 1912, thoroughly steeped in the hard a bullet hitting a blade among all the traditions of Prussian military life, he was airplanes above the trenches of the fight- commissioned a lieutenant of cavalry, ing front. in a proud outfit known as the Uhlans. This invention, plus numerous im- Richthofen enjoyed the cavalry, with its provements in Fokkers' aircraft, plus the dash and color. But within a year after amazing skill and daring of Manfred von the war started, the flying machines Richthofen, made possible his brilliant made their appearance over the battle- career as the greatest ace of all times. fields, droning along over the trenches Richthofen was with one of the first that extended from the Vosges moun- squadrons sent to bomb the Russian tains in eastern France to Laon and front. He spent several months throwing Amiens and across Belgium to the Eng- bombs over the side of his airplane upon lish Channel. Manfred begged to be Russian targets. He tired of that, for he transferred to this new service, and in craved man-to-man combat. One day in May 1915 he got his wish. August 1916 he was visited by Capt. Os- The purpose of the flying machine in wald Boelcke, who was then the first those early days of the war was to carry German ace, having shot down eight en- an observer over the trenches, first to emy planes. Boelcke invited the Baron to photograph what he saw, then later to come back and fight on the Western help direct artillery fire by tapping out Front, and Manfred gladly accepted. He messages in Morse code to telegraph sets was given intensive flight training and on the ground. assigned to one of Boelcke's squadrons The early pilots, usually noncoms, of single-seater fighter airplanes. were considered no more than chauffeurs, Captain Boelcke was the leading Ger- while the observers were officers. If op- man expert in the technical phases of posing planes came within close dis- the new war of the air. He carefully tance, the fliers smiled and waved. But picked the men of his squadrons for their soon the observers began carrying pistols skill and daring, and taught them all to take potshots at the enemy in the there was to know about air combat of air. That led. by late 1915, to machine that day. He selected about a dozen for guns, so that the fliers could engage in an elite fighting group—with Manfred battle in earnest. There were no para- von Richthofen. of course, among them. Baron von Richthofen. The proud Prus- chutes. It was a battle to the death, since Manfred wrote in his notes (as trans- sian ace was no comic strip character. if either the pilot or his machine was lated into English): "The idea of fight- disabled they fell to earth. western front attracted ing on the me. ease pressing that trigger. Most of his Manfred von Richthofen was assigned There is nothing finer for a young cav- kills were from a position under the tail to a squadron operating over the Somme. air!" alry officer than the chase of the of the victim, where, with deadly ac- He carried a machine gun in the cockpit Manfred quickly mastered all his curacy and at exactly the right moment, of his Albatros airplane. One day he teacher's tricks: how to turn and twist he poured those synchronized shots in spied a French plane and ordered his to avoid getting hit. how to come in be- a blazing stream. pilot to pursue it. At close range he let the quarry, to tween the sun and how Richthofen was shot down in March go and shot it down. In March 1916 he maneuver for best position under the 1917, and survived. He and four others shot down another French aircraft. tail of the enemy machine. His account of his squadron were attacked by 15 These two kills were never credited to of bringing down his first British plane British planes. Richthofen's Albatros his astonishing record of 80 victories in has these words: was punctured by numerous machine the air. "In a fraction of a second I was at his gun bullets, but fortunately for him his Tremendously excited this by new back with my excellent machine. I gave aircraft did not catch fire and he was type of warfare, Richthofen decided that a short series of shots with my machine- able to land behind his lines. Later, he was the life or death for him. be- — — He gun. 1 had come so close I was afraid I suffered a head wound, but returned to irritated his came at pilots for their might dash into the Englishman. Sud- his squadron proudly wearing a band- clumsy handling of the machines under denly, I nearly yelled for joy, for the age. his crisp orders, and begged to be per- propeller of the enemy machine had By the time I entered the battles above mitted to fly alone. Asked how he would stopped turning. I had shot the engine the muddy, blasted terrain over the handle a machine gun while guiding his ." to pieces. . . Western Front, the name of Baron von airplane, the replied: cocky Baron The happy hunter concluded his ac- Richthofen was all too familiar among "A way will be found, Mein Herr!" count by adding, in the spirit of chivalry my British comrades to the left of us

A way was found. Almost at that mo- in warfare that died with World War 1 and the French to the right. He had

32 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . D ECEMBER 1968 changed from an Albatros to a Fokker biplane, and then to a specially built Fokker triplane. The latter was un- doubtedly the most beautiful aircraft flown in the war. Slower than the bi-

plane, it still —at least in Richthofen's hands—was very maneuverable. Richthofen had experimented with attempts to camouflage the airplanes of

his squadron. Finding it was no use he went to the other extreme and painted his Fokker a bright red. No other aircraft had that solid color. He permitted his subordinates to use two or more colors, such as red and white or green

and white. His squadron, as it roared through the sky in search of prey, was a startling, glorious, fearful and colorful mass, each with the Black Cross on wings, fuselage and tail. From then on he was called "the Red Baron." The French called this enemy ace "le diable rouge" (the red devil), while both English and French added unprintable but appropriate adjectives. Within two months Captain Boelcke's hag of planes, mostly English Bristols and Sopwiths, with a few French Nieu- ports, grew from 20 to 40. Baron von Richthofen, meantime, was adding to his number of victims. He wrote of Boelcke: "We had a delightful time with our chasing squadron. The spirit of our leader animated all his pupils. We trusted him blindly." Richthofen (center) and some of his "gentlemen," members of his Flying Circus. On October 28, 1916, as Boelcke was chasing a British aircraft, one of his a great coat covering his rank, who com- that he and they had given their late own squadron collided with him in the mended Manfred for his courage. Next hero. Captain Boelcke. He always re- air. The German ace fell with his shat- evening the Baron was told that the offi- ferred to his fliers as "my gentlemen." tered plane, while the other pilot landed cer wanted to see him again. It proved With true Prussian arrogance, the Baron safely. Baron von Richthofen then had to be the Grand Duke of Saxe-Coburg- wrote in his notes: no rival as the leading airman of the Gotha, who presented Manfred with the "In my opinion the aggressive spirit

German command. Saxe-Coburg-Gotha medal. is everything; and that spirit is very On November 23rd, after Manfred The Baron was given his own squad- strong in us Germans. Hence we shall had brought down an English fighter and ron to command. He selected about 40 always retain the domination of the air." had landed in the mud behind his lines, of the best German fliers on the Western Richthofen's squadron, called Jagd- he was escorted to meet an officer with Front. They gave him the same loyalty staffel by the Germans, was the first to be known as a "circus." Later in the war ULVER PICTL RES we were to hear much about the exploits of the circus of American fliers led by the gallant aces Maj. Raoul Lufbery and Capt. James Norman Hall, who later flew with Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker in the famed ail-American 94th aero pursuit squadron. When the Red Baron was informed, perhaps by a prisoner, that the British had organized a special squadron of fighters to bring him down, he played the trick of painting several other Fok- ker triplanes the same bright red as his own. Encountering that flock of blazing comets. English fliers usually discreetly withdrew. Manfred's younger brother Lothar joined the squadron, and often flew close by the side of his commander. One day their father, the old baron, came to the * aerodrome to visit his sons. He arrived "T"' '•lati'^te— -""^ _ - The Baron (front) and his famous squadron, the Jagdstaffel, an elite flying group. just as both Manfred and Lothar landed THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 33 going toward the fuselage that held the CONTINUE D I fought the Red Baron cockpit of the Red Baron.

Then I heard a "pop-pop-pop" behind their aircraft, and each greeted him with learn later that he had written his me. Thin blue threads of tracer bullets "Good morning. Father! I have just shot mother that he had given up hope of were passing through my plane. Glanc- down an Englishman!" The Voter, Man- winning the war, now that the Ameri- ing back I saw a green-and-white tri- fred recorded, was quite pleased, and en- cans were in it. plane driving on me. To save myself joyed a good breakfast with his noted of our flying was low Much bombing from a fiery death I jammed on the right boys. The two aces placed the old baron and strafing when we were in range of rudder and pushed the stick forward, to outside their hangar with a telescope, gunfire. We'd come back with bullet make myself an impossible target. My and went aloft again. Before night Man- holes dotting our fuselages and wings. plane immediately went into a spin, with fred had shot down three more aircraft Once both my longeron and an aileron full engine. I held her there for a few four for that day, while his younger — were shot away—but I managed to nurse seconds, then straightened out. brother had bagged one more. my wounded Camel back to the base. I April 20, 1918, I met the Red On had intensive training during those days CLLVER PICTURES Baron in the air. Our squadron, based of the big German assault in turning, at Worley, a tiny village north of the twisting and putting that tricky, rotary- Somme River and northeast of Amiens, engine Camel into spins to get away had been in the thick of it since I had from the bullets of the German fliers. joined it in early March. United States "Don't let the Hun get on your tail!" Pershing, troops, as Gen. John J. com- was the motto. mander of the American Expeditionary The weather on April 20 was mostly Forces, had promised, were arriving in "dud" and there was little flying, but by a steady stream. Hoping to end the war late afternoon it cleared somewhat. At in victory before the Yanks could turn 5 o'clock an officer called us to attention. the tide, the German High Command Two flights were ordered to take to the had started a tremendous drive where air at once. We made for the field and the trenches of the French met those of got into our machines. the British. The plan was to drive a Eleven planes took off—-an off^ensive wedge between the two armies, roll both patrol of the two flights in V formation. back and move on to the sea. For weeks I had no idea where we were headed. In the enemy had massed his troops and those days only the flight commanders artillery, and on March 21 the heaviest were briefed. We followed their lead. attack of the war had begun. About 100,- We noticed with surprise that our CO, 000 German troops were put into action. Maj. Raymond Baker, who as chief ad- Day and night, the big guns were on ministrative officer was not required to us, and the weary British and French in fly, was to lead a flight. We learned later the trenches moved back in retreat. that he knew we were to challenge the Our airfield was directly in the path planes of the Red Baron. To.- of the drive toward Amiens. On March I Our flight was led by Capt. Cyril M. 25th our planes were in range of the The German Flying Corps. Leman, an Englishman, and following German guns. We moved our aircraft him were three Canadians, and myself, Rittmeister and equipment back to a field near Doul- Baron MANFRIED von RICHTOFEHi the lone American. We took off after lens. The next day, just five miles from Major Baker's flight, then hit squally was killed in aerial combat us, a momentous meeting took place, at weather and for a time lost him. Cap- which Marshall Foch was named com- tain Leman kept a straight course toward on April 21st. 1918. mander-in-chief of all Allied forces on the German lines, undisturbed by the the Western Front in order to unify our He was buried with full separation. When we caught up with efforts. We needed it, on land and in the our comrades they were in the middle of air, where T chthofen's circus was still military honours. a scramble with a large number of running wild. bright-colored planes. A man of intense pride in his achieve- From British Royal Air Force "The Red Baron's circus!" I thought. ments, Richthofen had a jeweler in Ber- it was just that. Suddenly a stream Photo of Richthofen's grave and text as lin make a silver cup for each of his vic- And above was dropped behind German lines tims. of bullets slashed into the Camel right When he'd made about 60 cups the on April 22, 1918, the day after his death. jeweler ran out of metal. The Red Baron in front of me. I watched that British plane turn its side and to the also collected numerous souvenirs of his on plummet earth, trailing its thick black smoke. All planes had left the scene of battle. exploits—a propeller, struts, engines, in- It a dogfight in for kill struments from planes that fell behind "The poor devil—not a chance in the was quick — a and the German lines. world," I thought. Then I saw the plane then pull out. When I got back to base By this time Richthofen could have that had sent that Camel and its pilot I found our squadron in heavy grief. The gone into a high administrative position to earth—the flaming red Fokker tri- man who had gone down in flames was in the German command, safe from the plane. Quickly it swung under another the CO, Maj. Raymond Baker. risk of death that went with every flight. of our fighters, and I saw that British The second pilot shot down by Rich- He chose not to do so. He continued to plane glide slowly down, obviously dis- thofen was 19-year-old Lt. D. G. Lewis. lead his Jagdstaffel circus, his colorful abled, but not burning. We supposed he had also perished—un- planes swarming over the advancing "It's Richthofen himself! Get him! til we learned he had landed inside the German legions. Every day we lost sev- Get him!" I shouted. German lines and had been taken pris- eral pilots and observers, and almost ev- I pointed my nose at the "red devil" oner. The Red Baron had followed him ery day Richthofen counted another kill and pressed my controls. Both machine down, and when he saw Lewis standing with his deadly red Fokker. We were to guns opened up. I saw my tracer bullets (^Continued on page 45)

34 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 DECEMBER 1968

VA INCOME QUESTIONNAIRE come . . . Pensioners will also still AND THE NEW PENSION LAW: be able to exclude 10% of Social The end-of-the-year annual Income Security or other retirement income Questionnaire which totally disabled in determining eligibility for veterans and veterans' dependents on monthly VA benefits. Veterans Administration pension rolls received with their October pension OBSERVANCE DATES OF VETERANS AND checks must be returned to the VA by PATRIOTIC HOLIDAYS CHANGES IN 1971: January 15 . . . VA mailed the income Starting in 1971 there'll be some questionnaire out earlier this year changes in veterans and patriotic in order to make sure that the end- holiday observances . . . Veterans of-January pension checks reflect the Day will be observed on the fourth new pension rates and income limits Monday in October . . . Memorial Day which go into effect Jan. 1, 1969. will be observed on the last Monday Here are some features of that new in May . . . Washington's Birthday law which is expected to provide some will be celebrated on the third Mon- $120 million in increased pensions day in February . . . Columbus Day, for more than 1.1 million pensioners. celebrated (in states that observe (1) For veterans and widows without the event) on Oct. 12, has been made dependents — the formula for scaling a national holiday and will be ob- down VA benefits as other income in- served on the second Monday in Oc- creases will contain 18 steps . . . tober ... At present, the law For veterans and widows with de- affects only events in the District pendents, it is changed to 28 and 27 of Columbia and federal employees steps, respectively . . . Maximum wherever they may work . . . But it pension rates will increase and the will have the effect of changing the changes will bring higher payments dates nationwide because state legis- for some pensioners now getting less latures will necessarily have to than the maximum rate . . . Maximum change their laws to come into line income limitations have been raised — or risk massive confusion . . . by $200. Calendar makers also need advance (2) The present five-step payment notice to complete their changeovers. scale for dependency and indemnity compensation for parents will go to USS PUEBLO CREWMEN GET EXTRA PAY: 12 and 23 steps, depending on other P.L. 90-510, signed into law by the factors . . . Some parents who now get less than the maximum rate will President recently, gives $65 a month extra "hostile fire" pay to the crew get more . . . Also, maximum income of . . . The limitations have been raised by $200. the USS Pueblo extra pay to the dependents of the crewmen (3) Annual income limitations for veterans and widows who now receive captured Jan. 23, off North Korea is and pension under laws in effect before retroactive to Jan. 1, 1968, will continue while they remain in cap- July 1, 1960 ("old law") have been raised by $200 ... No change has tivity. been made in the rate of pension for MASSACHUSETTS ENACTS VIETNAM BONUS: this group . . . This group may change to the new pension laws at any The Commonwealth of Massachusetts time if^ it is to their advantage has enacted a Vietnam War Bonus . . . (though they may not switch back Applicants must have had legal resi- later) . . . "Old law" pensioners dence in the state for at least six will get their chance to switch (if months prior to their entry into the they like) between Feb. 1 and May 1, armed services . . . They must also 1969 ... If they elect to change have at least six months active before May 1, any additional benefits service from July 1, 1958, up to the due them under the new law will be present time . . . Career men still paid retroactively to Jan. 1, 1969. in service who meet the above re- The new law permits end-of-the-year quirements must also prove they are reduction or discontinuance of bene- considered residents of Massachusetts fits if there is an increase in in- . . . One exception: Commissioned

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 t

CONTINUED VETERANS NEWSLETTER

officers still in service are not who died of a service-connected dis- eligible at the present time though ability and wives of veterans who are legislators are working to correct totally and permanently service-dis-

that condition . . . Dep't of Defense abled, can receive education and

Form 214' s are necessary for payment training benefits . . . The program is

of the bonus . . . Eligible Vietnam similar to the educational assistance area vets will receive $300, others now available to sons and daughters

$200 . . . For full details, write of veterans who died or are permanent-

Commonwealth of Massachusetts , State ly and totally disabled as a result

Treasurer, Bonus Division, Rm 227, of military service . . . Educational

State House , Boston, Mass. 02155. assistance payments range from $150 a month for full-time training (up HOSPITAL AND NURSING CARE LAW CHANGES to a maximum of 56 months) to $95 FOR VETS LIVING IN ALASKA AND HAWAII: for three-quarter time training Veteran patients residing in Alaska and $60 for half-time training. and Hawaii who are in need of nursing Another feature of the new law home care may now transfer directly increases education and training en- from a private hospital under Vet- titlement limits for veterans study- erans Administration contract to a ing under the current post-Korean War nursing home because of a new law GI Bill to provide them with 1-1/2 months of entitlement f-or . . . Heretofore this has been im- each month possible because one of the main of service after Jan. 51, 1955 (up requirements for receiving nursing to a maximum of 56 months). home care had been that the veteran must have transferred directly from TRAVEL ALLOWANCES HIKED FOR VETERANS

a VA operated hospital . . . Because WHO MUST TRAVEL FOR VA MEDICAL CARE: there are no such facilities in By executive order. President John- Alaska and Hawaii these veterans son recently raised travel allow- were being denied their benefits ances for veterans who must travel . . . The new legislation also pro- to receive VA authorized medical care vides hospital care in certain non- from five cents to six cents a mile

government hospitals for veterans of . . . The maximum amount per day, those states for treatment of non- when a night's lodging and three or service connected conditions. more meals are involved, was also raised from $9.00 to $12.00 for those LOAN AND GRANT BENEFITS AVAILABLE who elect to be reimbursed on an FOR EDUCATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT: actual expense basis. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Street Act of 1968 contains provi- FILM FOOTAGE NEEDED TO COMPLETE LEGION sions for a law enforcement student 50TH ANNIVERSARY DOCUMENTARY FILM: loan and grant program . . . The Legionnaires and Legion posts own- legislation provides ten-year 5% ing 16mm or 55mm motion picture film notes of up to $1,800 per academic footage on American Legion programs year with a cancellation clause at or projects can make a real contribu- the of of rate 25% for each year tion to history . . . The film is full-time employment at a public needed to complete the Legion's 50th state, local or federal law enforce- Anniversary Documentary, now being ment agency . . . Grants are also produced at Warner Brothers-Seven

available under the law for tuition Arts, Inc. . . . Badly needed is and fees not to exceed $200 per footage pertaining to specific Legion academic quarter or $300 per semester programs, such as Legion baseball, . . . More detailed information and Nat'l High School Oratorical Con- applications are available from tests, Boys State, Boys Nation, etc.

Office of Academic Assistance , Law . . . Other historical Legion film Enforcement Assistance Administra- would also be appreciated . . . Film

U. ' tion, S. Dep of Justice , Wash, should be sent as scon as possible D. C. 20550. to Mr. William Hendricks at Warner

Brothers-Seven Arts , Inc . , 4000 War-

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR WIVES OF 100% , ner Blvd. , Burbank, Calif. 91505

DISABLED VETS AND WIDOWS OF MEN WHO . . . If return of film is desired,

DIED OF SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY: please affix return address . . . As of Dec. 1, 1968, and for the Also, please provide any identifica- first time in the history of veterans tion of persons, places and events benefits in the U.S., widows of men that you can.

36 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 O F T H E NEWS AMERICAN LEGION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS DECEMBER 1968

Department of Veterans Affairs. Also in- Nat'l Exec Committee Sets cluded is a suggested letter for the post and unit which should be written on their Policy At Annual Fall Meet own stationery and a plastic flag case to hold the family's funeral flag. The family

is then informed that the services of the Committee adopts 36 resolutions; calls for more par- post and Auxiliary unit are available for ticipation by Legion units to help solve national any needed service. The program was recommended to all departments. ills; seeks tougher laws on Communists; confirms ap- Two resolutions adopted concerned pointments to national commissions and committees. the U.S. Flag. One called upon all citizens, organizations and businesses to fly The National Executive Committee, then be programmed through the Le- the flag each day, inclement weather ex- at its regular fall meeting at National gion's electronic data processing equip- cepted, to show support of our troops in Headquarters, Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. ment for separation. The information South Vietnam and illustrate a united na-

16-17, urged its departments, districts, will be invaluable for recruitment drives tion. county organizations and posts to assume and Legion program planning. The other called for a national confer- an even greater role in helping solve the Another resolution called for revision ence on the flag to study all matters per- complex problems of America's cities of Legion recruitment literature to in- taining to its display and use with the and towns. clude emphasis designed to attract purpose being to update old flag laws and The broad resolution, which took cog- women war veterans as well as male vet- recommend new legislation. The Legion nizance of the nation's ills and left erans. ofi'ered the use of its staff and facilities plenty of room in which local Legion The Department of Alabama was in this regard. units could operate, was one of 36 commended for instituting its Family Among rehabilitation resolutions adopted in the two-day session presided Honors Program, a means whereby men adopted was one calling for legislation over by Nat'l Cmdr William C. Doyle. and women of Alabama who lost their to make Veterans Special Term (RS) In- The Committee also received reports lives in Vietnam are honored. The pres- surance participating and to authorize from regular and special national com- entation consists of a formal package payment of premium overcharges as a missions and committees and confirmed made up for each of the families of de- dividend to the policyholder. Another appointments of chairmen and members ceased service personnel, including a asked commissary and post exchange to national Legion policy bodies. gold star flag, certificate of appreciation, privileges for widows of war veterans Aiming at the Communist Party, the letters from the Department Command- who die of a service-connected injury or Committee urged Congress to pass new er, Auxiliary President. Governor. Adju- disease after separation from active duty. legislation to ( 1 ) prevent the hiring of tant General, and the Director of the The Nat'l Executive Committee also Communist Party members by federal agencies and ( 2) to plug the gaps in pres- Founder Miller Gets His Past National Commander's Plaque ent law occasioned by recent U.S. Su- preme Court decisions. State and local governments were also urged not to hire Communist Party members. Two resolutions adopted concerned Arlington National Cemetery. One authorizes a contract for perpetual lighting and maintenance of the Legion's Gift

to the Nation in conjunction with its 50th Anniversary Observance (see page 5 for details.) The other called for construction of a memorial chapel and columbarium at the national shrine. In an attempt to make planning for the Legion's future as scientific as possible, the Committee adopted a resolution that would categorize by war the spread of its membership. Once the information is gathered the Legion would, for the first time in its history, be able

to tell exactly in which war (or wars) its members had served. This would be accomplished on the 1970 membership card by requesting post adjutants, membership chairmen or finance officers to At Fall Meeting, Oct. 16-17, Nat'l Executive Committeeman Thomas Miller (r) of Nevada, receives his Past Nat'l Cmdr's Plaque from Nat'l Cmdr William C. Doyle. Miller circle the appropriate war designation —a founder of the Legion who, among other duties, served as temporary vice chairman on the card. These vital statistics would at the Paris Caucus in 1919—was elected Honorary Past Nat'l Cmdr at New Orleans. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 37 NEWS.

basic human and American values and NATIONAL SECURITY: Emmett said parents should communicate more G. Lenihan, Wash.; Aeronautics & Space, with their children and provide more Roscoe Turner. Ind.; Civil Defense. guidance. Stacey A. Garner. Tenn.; Law & Order. Paul S. Kinsey. Ohio; Merchant Marine, National Commission Changes James M. Wagonseller. Ohio; Military

The National Executive Committee Affairs, Francis P. Kane. III.; Naval

appointed members and chairmen to fill Affairs, John J. Wrenn, Mass.; National vacancies on 1968-69 national policy Security Council, Granville S. Ridley, bodies. Tenn.

Following is a list of the national PUBLICATIONS: James E. Powers, chairmen whose appointments were ap- Ga. proved. COMMISSIONS are in capital PUBLIC RELATIONS: C. D. De- letters with committees and other divi- Loach. DC. sions of commissions printed in italics. REHABILITATION: W. F. Lenker. AMERICANISM: Daniel J. O'Con- S.D.: Area A, Sidney J. Harris, Mass.; nor. N.Y.; Coitnter-Subversive Activi- Area B, Ralph A. Westerfield, Puerto ties, J. E. Martie. Nev.: Ainericanisiu Rico; Area C, Louis F. Jordan, Tex.; Council, Albert H. Woessner. N.Y. Area D, Carle B. Lenker. S.D.; Area E. CHILD WELFARE: Earl D. Frank- J. Earl Merifield. Calif.; National Ceme- C. Holleyman spoke to NEC Banqueters. lin. Jr.. Colo.; New Eniiland Area. Albert tery. Francis J. Maguire, R.I. released the tentative schedule for Na- H. Brooks. N.H.; Middle Atlantic Area. Reorganization Committee: L. O. tional Conventions for the four years Harry N. Weeks. N.J.: Southern Area. Bickel, W. Va. following the 1969 Atlanta National Fred H. Downs, Jr.. Ala.; Midwestern Task Force For The Future: William Convention (Aug. 22-28). They are Area. Robert G. Crook. Iowa; Western E. Galbraith, Neb. 1970—Portland. Ore.. Aug. 28-Sept. 3 Area. Tom Clarkin. Ariz. 1971—Houston. Tex.. Aug. 27-Sept. 2 CONVENTION: James V. Demarest. Nat'l Commander's Homecoming 1972—Chicago. III.. Aug. 25-31 and N.Y.; Contests .Supervisory. Arthur W. ""Our people, from the top down to the 1973— Los Angeles. Calif.. Aug. 24-30. Mazowiecki. N.J.: Distins>nished Guests, guy in the field on the ground, feel we Committeemen and guests at the Nat'l A. L. Starshak. III. are winning this war, and I'm convinced Cmdr"s Banquet to the Nat'l Executive ECONOMIC: Clarence S. Campbell. we are too," said National Commander Committee on Oct. 16 heard Charles Vt.; Employment, David Dowd. Idaho; William C. Doyle at Trenton, N.J., dur- Holleyman. President of the Oklahoma Veterans' Preference, A. B. Fennell. ing a Homecoming Celebration (Oct.

Education Association, deliver a rous- SC. 1 1-12) held for him by the Legionnaires ing address on youth and education. Said FINANCE: Churchill T. Williams. of his home state. Cmdr Doyle was Holleyman. Superintendent of Schools Iowa; Life Insurance & Trust, William praising the efforts of American service at Mustang, Okla.. and a full-blooded S. Todd. Tenn.; Emblem. Julius Levy. personnel in South Vietnam.

Cherokee Indian, ""Ninety-five percent Pa.; Overseas Graves Decoration Trust. It was somewhat of a double home- of the young generation of Americans Nat'l Cmdr William C. Doyle. N.J. coming. Not only was the Nat'l Cmdr are the finest ever produced, but the FOREIGN RELATIONS: Thomas E. being officially welcomed home from his other five percent sometimes cast a Whelan. N.D.; Foreign Relations Coun- election victory at the National Conven- shadow over the good and true value of cil. Norbert W. Schmelkes, Mexico. tion in New Orleans, but he had also the rest." INTERNAL AFFAIRS: Donald J. just returned from a 28.000-mile 2 1 -day He noted that ""education is going to Smith, Mich.; Constitution & By-Laws. trip to South Vietnam and parts of be the key to keeping America great . . . Alfonse F. Wells, 111.; Membership & Southeast Asia. Education is King—and the price we Post Activities. William F. Gormley. Noting that the military posture of are going to have to pay for it will be Pa.; Resolutions Assignment, C. W. Grif- the South Vietnamese military forces king-sized." fith. S.C.; Trophies. Awards and Cere- had improved tremendously since the Holleyman called for the Legion to monials. John C. Mann, Pa. January Tet offensive. Cmdr Doyle said: help change the direction American life LEGISLATIVE: Clarence C. Horton, "If we have the tenacity to stay with is taking. He urged a reaffirmation of Ala. this war at the side of this little nation.

Contingent of Brooklyn Legionnaires was one of many groups to attend Homecoming of Nat'l Cmdr Doyle in Trenton, N.J. At right, he takes salute with National Vice Cmdrs to his right and Rep. Frank Thompson, Jr. (N.J.), man with white hair, to his left.

38 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 NEWS

lighted. Several other events are now in the planning stages. •The 51st National Convention is scheduled to be held August 22-28, 1969. at Atlanta, Ga. Further news on this event will appear from time to time in these pages. • The 1969 Fall Meetings will be held at National Headquarters, Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 6-9 with commissions and committees meeting Oct. 6-7 and the Nat'l Executive Committee sessions on Oct. 8-9. • The First National Convention of

The American Legion ( Minneapolis. Minn.. Nov. 10-12, 1919) will be com-

memorated Nov. 1 1. 1969, in that city. At left, Nat'l Cmdr Doyle visits wounded V etnam servicemen at Camp Kue Hospital on Okinawa. With troops, he gets field briefin g somewhere near the DMZ, South Vietnam. A special delegation from the Nat'l Executive Committee will attend the it will one day be able to govern itself, National Champions at the 1968 Na- ceremonies to mark the final act of to support itself, and to defend itself." tional Convention in New Orleans and the 1 8-month 50th Anniversary Cele- Though Cmdr Doyle is a resident of its other musical units are top national bration. Burlington, N.J., the homecoming was contenders. held in Trenton because it was the only Digest of Resolutions nearby city having facilities large enough Important Future Legion Dates Here is a digest of resolutions adopted to handle the events of the homecoming Here are the sites and dates of impor- at the fall, 1968 meeting of the Legion's and the 300 Legion leaders who jour- tant Legion events scheduled during the National Executive Committee. Identi- neyed from all parts of the nation and next several months. fying numbers follow in parentheses. outside it to pay honor to their National • The 1969 Midwinter Washington Commander. Conference will take place March 11-15 • Urges departments, districts, counties and posts to assume a more positive role in helping Top elements of the celebration on at the Sheraton Park Hotel in the na- solve the complex problems facing the U.S. in her towns and cities. (36) Oct. 1 2 were the Homecoming Parade tion's capital. On Mar. 1 3 National Com- • Commemorates First National Convention in and Banquet. Several thousand Tren- mander William C. Doyle will present Minneapolis, Minn., and authorizes a committee representing the Nat'l Executive Committee to tonians parades for the price of got two the Legion's 1969 veterans rehabilita- participate in 50th Anniversary festivities there one. The parade—combining a salute to tion mandates to the House Committee on Nov. 11. 1969. (34) • Authorizes contract with the Potomac Electric Nat'l Cmdr Doyle and to the Legion's on Veterans Affairs. 50th Anniversary—followed right on the In addition to regular conference heels of Trenton's annual Columbus Day events, the Legion's 50th Anniversary Artist Visits His Creation parade, a two-mile three-hour trek Commemorative Stamp will have its first through the city to Chestnut Park where day of issue on Mar. 15. The National a wreath was placed at the statue of Commander's Banquet to the Congress Christopher Columbus. of the U.S. will be held that same eve- Among distinguished guests partici- ning. pating were N.J. Gov. Richard Hughes, An historic feature of the banquet will Mrs. Arthur B. Hanell, Nat'l President be the first lighting of the new perma- of the Legion's Auxiliary, Rep. Frank nent illumination system at the Tomb Thompson, Jr. (N.J.), and state and city of the Unknowns in Arlington National officials. Cemetery—a Gift to the Nation from Close to 1,000 people attending the The American Legion. (For information banquet at Trenton's Civic Center heard on the Gift to the Nation, see page 5) the Nat'l Cmdr tell of his visit to the war Banquet-goers are scheduled to see the zones in South Vietnam and of the fine lights turned on at the Tomb at 9:00 job America's fighting men are doing to p.m., via closed circuit television. Plans help preserve the independence of that are afoot to have network television tiny nation. carry the ceremony to the nation at large. While in South Vietnam, Cmdr Doyle • The 1969 Spring Meeting of the conferred with Gen. Creighton W. National Executive Committee will be Abrams, Rear Admiral Leroy V. Swan- held May 6-9 in St. Louis, Mo., the site son, USN, Commander Carrier Division of the Legion's first stateside caucus on Two, Captain Frederick C. Turner, May 8-9, 1919. Housing and business Commander, U.S. aircraft carrier Amer- sessions will be at the Chase Park Plaza ica and other top-ranking officials. His Hotel. National Commissions and Com- Leon Reni-Mel, official artist of the French Ministry of War, stands beside his famous trip also took him to Okinawa, Japan, mittees will meet May 6-7 and the Nat'l painting "America" during a recent visit Korea, the Philippines and Hawaii. Executive will meet 8-9. Committee May to the U.S. The painting symbolizes the Music at the Homecoming Banquet A 50th Anniversary Time Capsule U.S. coming to the aid of a French nation was provided by Sammy Fain, nationally containing Legion history is scheduled to in trouble in WWl. Reni-Mel started the painting on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, known composer, and by musical groups be buried across the street from the Sol- 1918, and presented it to The American Nabb-Leslie Post 82, Millville, N.J. diers and Sailors Memorial and a per- from Legion in 1922. It now hangs in the Nat'l Nabb-Leslie Post's Quartet was named petual Flame of Freedom Torch will be Executive Committee Room at Nat'l Hq.

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 39 —

NEWS

Anniversary Medal Term (RS) Insurance participating and to au- 50th thorize payment of the premium overcharges as 50th Anniversary Proclamation a dividend to the policyholder. (25) • Sponsors and supports legislation to authorize commissary and post exchange privileges to widows of war veterans who die of service-connected diseases or injuries after separation from active duty. (26) • Sponsors and supports legislation to amend the law to delete the delimiting date for apply- ing for correction of military records. (27) • Calls for legislation to provide Vietnam era veterans with same eligibility requirements for entitlement to an automobile as now provided 'WW2 and Korean War veterans and to increase the amount payable toward purchase of an automobile from $1,600 to $3,000. (29) • Urges legislation to provide that the proceeds of mortgage insurance equal to the indebtedness payable to the insured or to his beneficiary be excluded from determinations of annual income for VA purposes. (30) • Opposes enactment of legislation that would Governor John W. King of New Hampshire remove the existing attorney or agent fee limi- signs Legion Golden Anniversary Proc- tations and penalty provisions in claims before lamation. Seated with him is Dep't Cmdr the VA. (31) Penn. Dep't Cmdr Theodore Foedisch pre- • Asks legislation to make the effective date of Dr. Donald W. Clement. Standing (I to r): discontinuance of pension reason sents 50th Anniversary Medal to the dis- reduction or by New Hampshire Nat'l Executive Commit- of death of a dependent the last day of the sixth teeman Ray Mudge, Department 50th An- tinguished Chmn of the Board of Rockwell month following the month in which such death North American Corp., Col. Willard Rock- occurred. (32) niversary Chairman Donald Still and well, a 50-year Legionnaire and member of • Calls for legislation to provide eligibility to Department Adjutant Hubert O'Neil. Vietnam era veterans for one episode of treat- the Legion's Prestige Committee. ment for all noncompensable dental disabilities found within one year of discharge. (33) • Reaffirms certain Foreign Relations resolutions Legion Extension Institute so they may be incorporated into the Legion's Power Co. to provide permanent maintenance 1969 Legislative Program. (16) and perpetual care of the Legion's Gift to the The Membership and Post Activities • Requests issuance of U.S. postage stamp Nation hghting system at the Tomb of the Un- honoring General of the Armies Douglas Mac- Division has announced that it has a knowns at Arlington National Cemetery. (1) Arthur. (12) • for of still Calls construction a memorial chapel and • Pledges proper use and confidentiality of limited amount of applications columbarium in Arlington National Cemetery. Veterans Administration Vietnam era veterans available for the 23rd term of The Amer- (28) separatee list. (13) • Calls for a National Flag Conference and • Reaffirms Legion policy on release of names ican Legion Extension Institute, a mail offers Legion help. (24) and addresses of members and posts. (14) order home-study course in Legion oper- • Urges citizens and organizations to fly the • Authorizes the Legion Nat'l Rehabilitation Di- U.S. Flag every day, inclement weather ex- rector to represent the Legion on the National ations and history. cepted, to illustrate a united nation and support Kidney Foundation Trustees Dialysis and Trans- for our troops in South Vietnam. (18) plantation Committee. (21) The 500-page course contains a brief • Urges legislation to curb the Communist Party • Concerns rules changes for National Contests. history of the Legion and describes its and strengthen the role of the Department of (15) Justice. (20) • Awards National Commendation Citation to programs and services. This is broken • Urges legislation which would bar Communist comedian Joey Bishop (WABC-TV) for his na- down into six units (one booklet per Party members from employment in federal agen- tionally televised program urging support for our men in Vietnam. (23) cies, nullify Supreme Court decisions allowing unit). Two units are concerned with the such employment, and urges state and local • Calls for reinstatement of U.S. government governments not to employ Communist Party support of competitive shooting matches at Camp internal organization of the Legion and Perry. members. (19) (17) • Authorizes funds for the Veterans Committee four on its programs and objectives. • Commends Dep't of Alabama for instituting of the People-to-PeopIe Program. (5) Family Honors program to show appreciation to They are: 1 —History and organization • Authorizes study to determine in which wars families of deceased servicemen. (11) Legion members served by using electronic data of the Legion, 2—Internal affairs and • Confers same rights and privileges on National processing equipment on the 1970 membership Commander's Representatives to national ap- Service Divisions, 3 —The Americanism card. (6) pointive bodies of the Legion as are accorded • Recommends a National Membership Work- and Foreign Relations Programs, 4 to members of those groups. (35) shop be held in August, 1969. (7) • Urges revision of Legion recruitment literature • Authorizes issuance of temporary charters to The Rehabilitation Program, 5 —The to better attract women war veterans. (8) Thorp's Veterans Post 58 and Ifugao Post 60 in Legislative and Economic Programs and • Supports legislation to make Veterans Special the Dep't of the Philippines. (9, 10) 6—The National Security and Child Welfare Programs.

ENROLLMENT FORM The course is available to Legion- AMERICAN LEGION EXTENSION INSTITUTE naires, Auxiliares and Sons of The Le-

(Use this coupon and add extra names and addresses, if any, on another gion members 17 years of age or older. sheet. Make all checks payable to: Nat'l Treasurer, The American Legion.) Posts, units and squadrons may enroll several members and form study groups. To The Faculty Students will not be required to submit American Legion Extension Institute monthly tests to National Headquarters. PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206 They may grade themselves at the end Here's our draft for $ Enroll those listed herewith in the 23rd of each monthly lesson since the answers American Legion Extension Institute home study course, and send each the to the preceding lesson come with the first assignment and lesson. following lesson. Total students with this order Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will receive a Certifi- Name (last first) cate of Graduation and a patch to affix to Legion caps. Auxiliares will receive Street Address an attractive mortarboard pin and chain. of is for City, State, ZIP Code Cost the course $4.00 each one to three persons, and $3.00 each Card # Post or Unit # when four or more enrollments are made on one application. Make all remittances (This coupon accommodates an order for one fully. For more, use it and payable to the National Treasurer. If add additional names on a separate sheet, giving the above info for each). the coupon shown on this page is not One to three COST— —$4 each—Four or more—$3 each. Price, payable to large enough for your needs, please use "The American Legion," based on all sent in one order. a reasonable facsimile.

40 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 NEWS

A Vietnam-to-Wyoming Flag How to Remember Vietnam Post 217, Baudette, Minn., has a wall display case which contains over 350 photos of local servicemen, including 40 of Vietnam vintage. Others represent service in both World Wars and Korea. "We hope to see the display grow," says Post Cmdr Elmer Thompson, 'as our records indicate that over 200 from the Baudette, WiUiams, and Birchdale areas

Post 71 Ditty bags for Vietnam

Post 71, Milton, Pa., aided the Red Cross by providing articles for ditty bags. In the photo, Ralph Barnhart (left). From a hot Vietnam mission to a town's Committee chairman, and Post Cmdr 100th anniversary: one American flag. Clarence Heckman stand by a display A flag with a history was given by which calls attention to a large container Post 22, Rawlins, Wyo., to the city's for gifts and a smaller one for cash, Centennial celebration. Through the both fashioned by Barnhart. eflforts of AF Staff Sgt. Edward M. Post 228, Carrollton, La., gives a Rogers, a Rawhns native in Vietnam, the monthly award to men in Vietnam who flag, belonging to Post 22, was flown on have done outstanding work in the war, Post 217, Baudette, Minn., showcases a torrid combat mission over South Viet- based on newspaper reports. The reward its local service people (all wars). nam. is presented to the individual's family to

"Not only was it flown in combat," have been in military service since await his return. said Rogers, who is with the 3rd Air August 5, 1964. In the photo, Cmdr Commando Sqdn., Bien Hoa AB, 7th Thompson shows Mrs. Mel Gamache a AF, "it was one of the hottest missions picture of her son, Lawrence. He is a

I've been on since I arrived in Vietnam Vietnam Purple Heart, presently sta- last August. We were sitting ground tioned at Fort Riley, Kansas. alert when we were scrambled to Cu- Sp/5 Dennis Belotti (center in photo), Chi, an Army of the Republic of Viet- who was sponsored to Boys State in nam (ARVN) outpost which was under 1963 by Post 310, Chicago, III., came heavy ground attack by a company-size home from Vietnam for a six-week force of enemy. rest. He enlisted two years ago. In one "The enemy was attacking, using mor- year in Vietnam he earned 24 medals tars and automatic weapons. Through and commendations, including a Silver our Vietnamese AF observer, who was Star, He and his crew rescued 1,254 flying with us as translator, we learned wounded Americans from the Viet that the outpost couldn't hold out much jungles. Dennis has returned voluntarily longer. As soon as the pilot sized up the To the memory of all servicemen' situation, we started kicking out flares, Post 344, Hatfield, Mass., dedicated and then turned our three 7.62 mm mini- its new post home (see photo) to the guns on them. The Dragonship stayed "lasting memory of all servicemen." on the scene for almost two hours while Post 44, Philippi, W. Va., makes cer- the battle went on until the enemy with- tain that every Barbour County service- drew. The members of Post 22 can take man in Vietnam gets a package from real pride in this flag which I'm going to home. In the photo, I. to rt., are J. Phil- send back to them," concluded the lips, J. Miller. Philippi Postmaster C. sergeant. Lang, and B. Hollen, Jr. The firepower of the Dragonships in Vietnam has been credited with saving Dennis Belotti goes back to help. hundreds of outposts from being over- run. The firepower of the three 7.62mm for an additional six-month tour. In the gatling type miniguns is equal to 72 rifle- photo, Dennis is flanked by Fred Emich men plus three M-60 machine guns. It (left), and Joseph Alexander, both has been calculated, says the Air Force, PPCmdrs. that one three-second burst from all Post 218, Bridgeport, Wash., has con- three guns would leave one bullet in each structed a Servicemen's Honor Board, square foot of an area the size of a foot- on which rows of name plates flank the ball field. flag and photos of two area men killed When the now historic flag was re- in Vietnam. The name plates bear the turned to Post 22 and donated to the names of armed forces personnel from Post 44, W. Va. remembers its boys. city's Centennial celebration, Vietnam the Bridgeport area. "The Memorial," vets had the honor of raising it (see says Post Cmdr Herb Schuler, "is a BRIEFLY NOTED photo at top of column) as the highlight community project. Contributions from November 13 was American Legion Day of the ceremonies. local citizens made it possible." at Laurel Race Course. Laurel, Md. All THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE DECEMBER 1968 41 NEWS. nine races were named in honor of tlie Chadwick was a WWl 1st lieutenant and Legion, in observance of the organiza- adjutant of the 1st Bn., 27th Inf., in tion's 50th Anniversary. National offi- Siberia. cers of the Legion and the Auxiliary and Dep't of Maryland officials took part in ceremonies. The feature purse was named the "Dep't Commander's Purse," honoring the Department and Cmdr Lonnie F. Marsh. The president of the Maryland Auxiliary, Mrs. Clara McCall. gave a plaque to the owner of the win- in the largest of ning horse second purse Post 1087, N.Y.: award for dedication the day. National officers of the Legion ance and dedication and their wives attending were William to the Community. State F. Hauck, Nat'l Adjutant: James C. and Nation as former Chairman of the Selective Watkins, Nat'l Public Relations Direc- Service Local Draft Board No. 5." Others from left are: J. J. tor; and James R. Wilson. Nat'l Security PCC PNC Stephen Chadwick goes to a reunion. Director. The arrangements were made Devine, Dep't of N.Y., Nat'l Security by the Legion's 50th Anniversary Com- Com.; W. E. Payfer, Vietnam vet and POSTS IN ACTION mission. post third VC; and C. T. McHugh, Post Post 177, Bridgeport, Conn., and Unit 1087 Cmdr. 177 combined to give its first annual $300 Nurse's Scholarship Grant to Talent, dedication, and hours of practice Janice Stenger. of Monroe, a graduate of brought the choristers of Auxiliary Unit Masuk H.S. 15, Sioux Falls, S.D., a virtual sweep of the choral contests at the recent annual Post 1087, West Hempstead, N.Y., pre Convention in New Orleans. The Da- sented a plaque to the Hon. Henry C. kotans won the chorus, sextette, quar- Von Elm, Receiver of Taxes. Town of tet: and trio competitions for a clean Hempstead (second from left in photo), sweep. In the quartet competition, "for his 20 years of meritorious service however, their margin of victory was to the defense and national security of less than one full point. According to his country, and outstanding perform- the rules, this necessitated a "sing-off"

WWl Army nurse, 88, meets two chiefs.

Attracting attention during the parade at the Legion's recent Convention in New Orleans was a frisky, 88-year-old, WWl Army nurse. Mrs. Agnes Harsen, of Algonac, Mich. She appeared in her WWl uniform, which she is wearing in the photo. Mrs. Harsen served with

U.S. Base Hospital No. I in Vichy, France, in 1918-19. joined the Legion when it was less than a year old, has appeared at 40 of the 50 Conventions, and served in New Orleans as an honorary chairman of the Michigan delegation.

For added excitement, if any was needed, she had a short visit with Gen. William C. Westmoreland, Army Chief of Staff, and the Legion's upcoming Nat'l Cmdr. At the Convention, the well-trained songsters of Unit 15, Sioux Falls, S.D., won the Bill Doyle (see photo). Also in the pic- chorus, trio, and sextette competitions, and tied for first in the quartet contest. ture is Capt. Carolyn S. Cade, Army Nurse Counselor of New Orleans. Gen- eral Westmoreland presented Mrs. Har- sen with 15 red roses from the Chief of the Army Nurse Corps, Col. Anna Mae Hays.

Stephen F. Chadwick, of Seattle, Wash., Past Nat'l Cmdr (1938-39), left in photo, was warmly greeted at the one-day Golden Anniversary Reunion of Vet- erans of AEF, Siberia, in Los Angeles by L. A. McQuiddy, reunion chairman, as Ric Hardman, author of the novel, Fifteen Flags, and H. C. Fry, reunion Sextette champs, Sioux Falls Unit 15, Unit 544, Twin Lakes, Wis., gained a Distinguished Guests chairman, look on. S.D., wore red (hats), white and blue. tie for the quartet title after 'sing-off."

42 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 NEWS

to determine a winner. When this was the WW I Armistice Pact. Legionnaire Rodney S. Cohen, Sr., of Augusta, Ga., done, the runner-up quartet, represent- Lambert joined the Maine Department Past Dep't Cmdr (1922-23). The dean ing Twin Lakes, Wis., Unit 544 came Commanders of six other veterans or- of Georgia's Past Dep't Cmdrs, he had out ahead, but again by less than one ganizations on the Committee. The pri- practiced law in Augusta for 50 years full point! Both units were declared co- mary purpose of the Committee was to and had spoken at the recent Dep't Con- champions and both received full first foster as many observances in Maine as vention. place prize money. possible that would publicize Veterans Day and its special meaning to Maine Dan D. Henry, of Grand Rapids, Mich., Post 1093, New York, N.Y., gave the citizens. who attended the Legion's St. Louis Legion's Americanism award to Henry Caucus. L. Lambert, past president. New York E. Roy Stone, of Greenville, S.C., and Board of Trade, and member of the Ex- the Nat'l Executive Committee, named Judge William A. Smith, of Topeka, ecutive Committee of the Boy Scouts of the new chairman of the .South Carolina Kans., who attended the 1919 Paris America. The award was presented by Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. He Caucus of the Legion. Mr. Justice Tom C. Clark, former Justice has been the Agency's vice chairman of the United State Supreme Court and since Sept. 1960. Eli H. Momsen, of St. Paul, Minn., a now director of the Federal Judicial Legionnaire and brother of Frank C. Center. Justice Clark is a former recipi- W. A. "Knute" Cottrell, of Honolulu, Momsen, Minnesota Dep't Adjutant. ent of this award. Hawaii, retired as Dep't Adjutant, succeeded by Bernard J. Peron. Mrs. Melville Mucklestone, of Cali- NEW POSTS fornia, Past Nat'l President of The The American Legion has recently Ray Oltman, of Hallam, Neb., appointed American Legion Auxiliary (1935-36). chartered the following new posts: Dep't Adjutant for Nebraska. He was Goleta Valley Post 610, Goleta, Calif.; formerly the assistant Dep't Adjutant Douglas B. Davenport, of New Lisbon, Essex Post 1286, Essex, 111.; William (since July 1959). Wis., Past Dep't Cmdr (1958-59) and Hall Post 282, Anderson, Ind.; Porter Alternate Nat'l Executive Committee- Post 503, Porter, Ind.; Clarence Hall, man (1960-62). Jr. Post 328, Newport, Ky.; Monmouth Post 204, Monmouth, Me.; Allegheny Alex Parke, of Grandview, Wash., Past LIFE MEMBERSHIPS Township Post 972, Westmoreland Dep't Cmdr (1963-64), while on a vaca- The award of a life membership to a Legion- County, Pa.; Thorpe's Veterans Post 58, tion trip in Ireland. naire by his Post is a testimonial by those who know him best that he has served The Ameri- Manila, P.I.; Ifugao Post 60, Kiangan, can Legion well. P.I.; Luis F. Alvarez Delgado Post 140, E. Henry Cappelman, of Columbia, Below are listed some of the previously un- published life membership Post awards that Rio Piedras, P.R.; Paulino Merced S.C., Past Dep't Adjutant (1923-24). have been reported to the editors. They are Martys Post 141, Altamesa, P.R.; and arranged by States or Departments. Nat Logan Post 219, Salem, Va. Mrs. Joan Pheffer, wife of Herman L. M. Griswold and Allan A. Guild and Carl Hayden and A. Truman Helm and Martin Also, incorrectly spelled in our Octo- PhefTer, a member of the Legion's Re- Herzog (all 1967), Post 1, Phoenix, Ariz. ber J. L. Downum and J. M. Hainbach and H. E, issue: James O. Dixon Post 221, habilitation staff in New York City. Henson and J. L. Main (all 1968), Post 139, Lexington, Tenn. Springdale. Ark James Blair and Ralph Boyd and Charles Miles D. Kennedy, of Millbrook, N.Y., Bovnton and Earl Burlington and William PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Nat'l Legislative Director of the Legion Comartin (all 1968). Post 22, Lodi, Calif. Louis L. Dresti (1965) and John E. Green Paul G. Aucoin, Jr., of Thibodaux, La., for many years until his retirement and (1967). Post 669, Gilroy, Calif. Past Dep't Cmdr (1958-59), appointed a former commander of the Dep't of Mavro C. Cox, Sr. and Leonard T. Davidson and Eldon Eck and VV. W. Katliff (all 1967). Post by Governor McKeithen as a member New York. 178. Lakewood. Colo. of the Veterans Affairs Commission of Albertus A. Bagley and William E. Bibbs and Samuel C. Jones (all 1968). Post 5, Washington, Louisiana representing the Legion. DC. Bert J. Palmer and Fred N. Scott (both 1968), American Legion Life Insurance Post 79. New Port Richey, Fla. Bernt Balchen, transatlantic pilot of Month Ending Sept. 30, 1968 John D. Gambriel and Glen R. Hawkins (both 1968). Post 177. Zeigler, 111. the fly 1927 and "first" to over the South Benefits paid Jan. 1-Sept. 30, 1968 81,062,342 Harry M. Brown and Stanley F. Kiddle (both Benefits paid since April 1968). Post 264. Lake Forest. 111. Pole (1929), who still logs 500 or more 1958 6,345,254 Basic Units in force (number) 169,128 Bobbie H. Hughes and Clarence Jordan and hours each year at the controls, installed New .Applications approved since Don Mains and Homer Mains (all 1967). Post Jan. 1, 1968 9,585 423, Mount Carmel. III. as commander of Air Service Post 501, New Applications rejected 1,458 Rolla Burger and Fred Geisert and Albert L. Dep't of New York. Medals of Merit Husted (all 1967), Post 515. Martinsville. 111. American Legion Life Insurance is an official John E. Frev and R. B. Gallman and Rich B, were awarded by the post to Clark Kin- program of The American Legion, adopted by Port (all 1968). Post 1941, La Grange, 111. the National Executive It is naird, George Hunt, and Arnold Ging- Committee, 1958. George W. Meyer and Harvey T. Minas and decreasing term insurance, issued on applica- James J. Schmal and E. B. Southworth (all rich, respective editors of King Fea- tion to paid-up members of The American 1968), Post 20. Crown Point. Ind. Legion subject to approval based on health and C. Mickey Walker (1960) and Glenn A. tures, Life (managing editor), and Es- employment statement. benefits Death range Williams (1967), Post 290, Rosedale. Ind. from $11,500 (full unit up through age 29) in quire. Calvin T. (1968). Post 27. Muscatine, decreasing steps with age to termination of Rowe insurance at end of year in which 75th birth- Iowa. A. Bleil C. Rogers (both day occurs. Quoted benefit includes ISVd Howard and Marven Edmund G. Lyons, of Clifton, N.J., "bonus" in excess of contract amount. For 1968). Post 303. Moville. Iowa. calendar year 1968 the 15', "across the board" Henry F. Boock (1967). Post 711, Blue Grass. Nat'l Executive Committeeman, ap- Iowa. increase in benefits will continue to all partici- Kingsley Harry L. Porter pointed president of the Board of Man- pants in the group insurance plan. Available in Claude A. and (both Maine. half and full units at a flat rate of $12 or $24 a 19681. Post 91. Yarmouth. at agers Menio Park Home for Disabled year on a calendar year basis, pro-rated during Elmer Cook (1968), Post 102. Stonington, Maine. Soldiers. the first year at $1 or $2 a month for insurance Harrv and Harry E. Flook, Sr. approved after January 1. Underwritten by two G. Bcneman commercial life insurance companies. American and William C. Walsh (all 1968). Post 13. Cum- berland. Md. Daniel Legion Insurance Trust Fund is managed by E. Lambert, of Orrington, Me.. trustee operating under the laws of Missouri. William S. Coy and William S. McGah (both Dep't Cmdr, appointed to a committee No other insurance may use the full words 1962) and William S. Coy, Jr. (1963) and 'American Legion. ' Administered by The William H. .'illin and Donald F. Glynn (both by Gov. Kenneth Curtis to coordinate American Legion Insurance Department. P.O. 1964). Post 115. Stoneham. Mass. Box 5609. Chicago. Illinois 60680, to which Harrison E. Bailey (1968), Post 220, Wareham, the 50th Anniversary of the signing of write for more details. Mass. (Continued on next page) THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 43 )

Charles Reed and Charles Reynolds and Pucci and Paul Shane (all 1968), Post 124, 151st Inf, Co K— (June) Charles E. Groves, 159 David M. Ward (all 1956) and Charles Turner Geneva, Ohio. S. Cherry St., Martinsville, Ind. 46151 (1967), Post 273, Burlington, Mass. John F. Rutland (1963) and Albert B. Klecka 196th QM Bn Hq— (March) Stanley Wasilowski,

Frank N. Leakey (1968), Post 3, Guadalajara. (1966) . Post 163, East Cleveland, Ohio. M.R. Freeport Rd., Natrona Heights. Pa. Mexico. Gust J. Hoke and Lynn M. Walker (both 202nd Field Art'y Bn— (June) Newton O.

Casper A. Ritter and James A. Straton and 1967) . Post 295, Green Springs, Ohio. Edwards. 2717 E. Portland St.. Springfield, Fred C. Upleger (all 1967). Post 357, Detroit. Galen J. Houser (1968), Post 332, McClure, Mo. 65804 Mich. Ohio. 308th Inf— (May) Lionel Bendheim, 200 Cabrini Jos. J. Cashen and Stanley Gilleland (both Willie M. Darling (1963), Post 538, Toledo, Blvd.. New York, N.Y. 10033 1962), Post 222, Hibbing, Minn. Ohio. 316th Inf, Co E (WWl)— (June) Paul E. Flinch- Walter Bauer and Charles J. Staphos (both Harvey D. Shaffer (1968), Post 122, Kittan- baugh, 820 S. Pine St., York. Pa. 17403 339th MP POW Prosecuting Co (Korean War)— 1967) , Post 1, St. Louis, Mo. ning. Pa. Jacob Barnowsky and Ivo M. Birrer and Morris Hersh and Harold Hildebrand and (July) Carl J. Foerster, 1217 Grain St.. Park Clifford Church and Raymond Cornforth (all Walter Maxwell (all 1968), Post 299, Sharon, Pa. Ridge. 111. 60068 343rd Eng Reg't— (June) John J. Blesso, Sta- 1968) , Post 31, Twin Bridges, Mont. Charles Bums and H. Stanley Douglas and Leo A. Desclos and Leo O. Sirois (both 1968), Charles Frey and James Graver and Dr. Robert tion A, Box 126, Hartford, Conn. 06106 Post 3, Nashua, N.H Heft (all 1968). Post 361. McKeesport, Pa. 352nd Ord Maint Co, AA— (June) Dr. Ray H. Charles R. Stevens (1967), Post 22, Lebanon, C. Melvin Shields and Herbert D. Stewart and Koch, 161 N. Dearborn Ave., Kankakee, 111. N.H. Jasper Stouffer, Jr. and Alvin W. Strock, Jr. (all 4I3th Tel Sig Corps Bn— (May) C. F. Herring. Sr.. 3242 48th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, Fla. John Dailev and John McShane and George 1968) . Post 612. St. Thomas. Pa. 415th Rwy Teleg Bn (WWl)— (Apr.) Herman A. K. Mitchell and James A. Travcrs (all 1968), James E. Huff ( 1968) , Post 707, Pittsburgh, Pa. Post 105, Belleville, N.J. Anton Engstrom and Joe E. Schneider and Burkhard, 2737 W. 87th St.. Evergreen Park. Stanley Sejman and Roy G. Strevcr and William A. Voorhes (all 1968), Post 135, Gettys- 111. 60642 Charles P. Tobias and James Towart and burg, S. Dak. 512th MP Bn (Fid A, WW2)— (June) George T. Mustin, P.O. Box 29127, Buntyn Sta., Charles Van Hoescn (all 1967), Post 42, Chat- L. L. Anthony ( 1947 ) and Charles J. Maisel ham, N.Y. and G. Ward Moody (both 1958) and Rufus Arp Memphis, Tenn. 38111 535th AAA Aw Bn (WW2)— (June) James E. Leon Andrews and John H. Greene and (1967) . Post 430, Odessa, Tex. Long, Rt. 3, Quanah, Tex. 79252 Charles E. Ransom (all 1967), Post 89, Vestal. Adolph C. Bartness and Charles McDonald 554th Ord N.Y. Cowan and James H. Mitchell and Leo V. HM Tank Co— (June) Harvey A SumiTierhill, 1040—4th Ct. West, Birmingham. James W. Monroe ( 1966 ) . Post 190, Delhi, N.Y. Timberlake (all 1968). Post 55, Fredericksburg, Ala. 35204 Thomas McCarthy and Walter Paige ( both Va. 56

44 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 . ..

I FOUGHT Th RED BARON (Continued from page 34) by the wrecked plane he zoomed low, Baron Manfred von Richthofcn's waved and saluted. body was laid out in state in a nearby The two planes shot down by Rich- chateau. Allied fliers came in groups to thofcn that day were 79th and 80th pay their respects to the fallen foe. He —81st and 82nd if his two early French was given a funeral with full military kills had been on record. His victories honors. An Anglican chaplain read the had included pilots and observers of 20 service. Six British pilots carried the different makes of British and French casket to its grave in the churchyard of aircraft—practically all types operating Bertangles, escorted by an Australian on the Western Front at that time. honor guard. The two on April 20 were his last. That night he again received the praise OVER THE German lines next day, an of the German High Command and cele- aircraft of the Royal Air Force brated with a banquet at his base. Early dropped a canister containing a picture the next morning, before going aloft. of Richthofen's flower-covered grave, Manfred von Richthofen committed a and a message, "To The German Flying grave error in the eyes of the supersti- Corps. Rittmeister Baron Manfried von tious He allowed himself to be photo- Richtofen was killed in aerial combat graphed standing by his Fokker triplane. on April 21st 1918. He was buried with ." His subordinates were astonished. All full military honours. . . knew this meant bad luck. I continued in combat action, bomb- "Believe you won't pass out from the ing German hangars, strafing trenches, me lack of oxygen. This office is pressurized." ON THAT April 21st the Red Baron going aloft for dogfights. I shot down dashed after a British flier, pulling a German observation balloon, and was irii; ,\MKi[ic,.\N i.Kf:i

Camel flown by a Canadian pilot, Capt. squadron at Epinoy. On August 10th right thigh. I made it down. The wound

Roy Brown, to get close to his tail. I was cited for forcing "a hostile ma- ended my fighting career. But I never Brown pressed his controls, and the red chine to land intact on our side of the forgot that brief scramble with the Red triplane headed down. It crashed, but did lines." I won my share of honors. Baron, nor those gestures of honor given not burn. A shot had pierced the heart On August 16th, at 10,000 feet, I got him in a war that ended the very idea of the great German ace. a German machine gun bullet in my of "honorable combat." the end

AMOUNT OF INSURANCE, DETERMINED BY AGE' OFFICIAL AMERICAN LEGION LIFE INSURANCE Age Basic Full Unit Total Coverage During 1968 Under 30 $10,000 $1 1.500.00 As a Legionnaire, you can protect your family's well-being for as little as a day 7c 30-34 8,000 9,200.00 with Official American Legion Life Insurance. Just mail this application with a check 35-44 4,500 5,175.00 45-54 2,200 2,530.00 for $24 for a full unit of protection for all of 1969. That comes to only $2 a month! 55-59 1,200 1,380.00 Normally no medica is required. If your application is not accepted, your $24 will be 60-64 800 920.00 promptly refunded, And provided you join the plan before age your coverage can 65-69 500 575.00 70, 70-74 330 379.50 stay in force through age 74.) After you sign up, your coverage gradually reduces.

OFFICIAL APPLICATION for YEARLY RENEWABLE TERM LIFE INSURANCE for MEMBERS of THE AMERICAN LEGION AMERICAN LEGION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS CHECK MUST ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION LIFE Full Name Birth Date INSURANCE Lost First Middle Mo. PLAN Day Year Permanent Residence IMPORTANT Street No. City State Name of Beneficiary _ .Relationship If you reside in New Example: Print "Helen Louise Jones, Not 'Mrs. H. L. Jones" York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Wiscon- Membership Card No. Year _ Post No. „ State

sin, Illinois, New Jer- 1 apply for a Full Unit of insurance at Annual Premium of $24.00 or a Half Unit at $12.00 sey or Puerto Rico, do The following representations shall form a basis for the Insurance Company's approval or rejection of this not use this form. application: Instead, write to 1. Present occupation? . Are you now actively working? American Legion Life Insurance Plan, P.O. Yes No If No, give reason__

Box 5609, Chicago, 2. Have you been confined in a hospital within the last year? No Yes If Yes, give date, length of Illinois 60680. Appli- stay and cause cations and benefits 3. Do you now have, or during five years have you had, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes vary slightly in some the past areas. or any other serious illness? Yes If Yes, give dates and details No . MAIL TO: 1 represent that, to the best of my knowledge, all statements and answers recorded on this application AMERICAN LEGION are true and complete. 1 agree that this application shall be a part of any insurance granted upon it under LIFE INSURANCE the policy. I authorize any physician or other person who has attended or examined me, or who may PLAN, attend or examine me, to disclose or to testify to any knowledge thus acquired.

P. 0. BOX 5609, Dated. 19. Signature of Applicant. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS OCCIDENTAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, Home Office: Los Angeles aMA.300-6 ED. 5-63 60680 l_. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 45 types from ultralight spinning rods to heavy boat rods at local sporting goods stores and in mail-order catalogues, priced LIFE IN THE OUTDOORS from $7 to $15. And they're extremely easy to assemble.

RIFLE SLINGS, creel and camera straps Monster won't slip off your shoulder if you cement a strip of rubber to the strap where it rests on your shoulder, advises Wendall Trem- blay of Augusta, Me. Another trick is to FRESH WATERS of Florida have been IF YOUR bird shooting is in areas where THE sew a large button onto the shoulder of invaded by a strange creature which cer- you're apt to meet barbed wire fences to your jacket; the strap will catch behind it tainly seemed a monster to the startled climb, be sure to carry a foot-square piece night watchman con- and can't slip off. Boca Raton who of heavy cloth or canvas, advises Lt. Col. fronted it last spring. It was a fish out of (USAF) Shed Weeks of Madison, Miss. water, but it wasn't gasping for air; it was CAN'T WAKE UP early in camp? Place Lay it over the top of the wire and you'll walking across the land. In fact, deliberately alarm clock in a metal pail before slide over easily with your pants intact. your it was almost a half-mile from the nearest you go to sleep, says R. Miller of Lansing, water! On close inspection it appeared to Mich. When it goes off, the amplified sound be a large catfish with the usual long bar- GOING ICE FISHING? Here are some will awaken the heaviest sleeper. But it bels, or whiskers, and with a long dorsal fin tips: Test all ice with an ice chisel before and rounded tail. won't scare off game, only makes them walking on it. Avoid ice near a creek outlet After examining the watchman's find and curious, reports show. or inlet; the running water will keep it thin capturing several more from an adjacent and dangerous. Water 4 to 12 feet deep pro- canal, the Florida Game Commission iden- around the outside vides the best fishing, especially over a weed REFLECTOR TAPE of your boat just below the gunwales might bed. Check water depth with a sinker tied prevent a collision if you're caught in a fog to a line; your bait should hang 12-15 inches at night, reports E. of Mount above the bottom. Check your baits every or out G. Key Pleasant, S.C.~ Also put strips of it on flash- 15 minutes; this keeps them moving to at- lights, ax handles, tent stakes, etc., to help tract fish and often will bring a quick strike spot from a reluctant pike or pickerel. you them.

EGG CARTONS are great fire starters for The morocato: New problem for Florida. CHARCOAL BRIQUETTES make good campers, advises Russel Evane of Goshen, targets for rifles and shotguns, says R. tified It is nature's several them, puts a char- the creature. one of Young of Fayette, Mo. They'll shatter when Ind. He gets of oddities, called "morocato" in Africa, its coal briquet in each of the egg pockets, hit by bullets. Shotgun pellets will turn continent of origin. It is genuinely amphibi- then piles them on top of each other and them into puffs of black smoke. And they're ous, breathing water through gills and air pours lighter fluid over them. As the paper easier to toss than clay pigeons re- through a complicated organ near its gills which cartons burn, the briquets collapse into a which functions like a lung. Travel on land quire scaling holders. glowing pile. is accomplished by a wriggling motion from side to side, the lower fins acting as feet, A TRICK to help you keep your footing providing traction and balance. The animal HANDY FISHING TOOL is the "Fisher on ice is offered by Leo DeGreef of Big is nocturnal, but most significant is the fact Pride" shown here. outdoors- Stone City, S.D. He says to take an old pair man's An that it feeds on land as well as in water, designed into one utensil, ot rubbers and drive three evenly-spaced man's tool box devouring worms, insects, frogs, anything it's a fine-tipped pliers fitted with a 39-inch roofing nails through each heel from the small enough for it to swallow whole. How did the "morocato" reach Florida? inside out, then cut off about I4 inch from By way of someone's aquarium, think the their points. By carefully walking on your experts. Perhaps the owner unwittingly toes, you can even enter your house with- placed some in an outdoor pool. If so, it out damaging the floors. was no trick for them to jump out and walk to even more lush quarters. FOR BOWHUNTERS, Vietnam-type cam- Is it a menace? Florida biologists are ouflage in hats, hunting vests, jackets and frankly alarmed. The species is extremely prolific. If unchecked, its numbers can trousers by Game Winner. Made of army reach many thousands in a few years and duck or poplin, water repellent, 5-color it can spread throughout the South, even camouflage. Also conventional hunting and to more northern States since it can with- fishing clothing. For catalogue, write: Fisherman's Pride: A handy tool. stand colder temperatures. It may even be Game Winner, First National Bank Build- able to adapt itself to salt water. In such ing, Atlanta, Ga. steel tape, fish scale, fish scaler, hook de- quantities, it can kill off other more valua- gorger, cutlery steel knife blade, shot- ble fish not only by feeding on them but your ice-fishing shelter with heavy by competing with them for natural marine COVER splitter and bottle opener. It's made of plastic, the type sold at lumberyards, writes food. Exterminating it, however, is a prob- forged steel, 7% inches long, rust and cor- lem because any poison that kills it is also James Miller of Bismarck, N.D. It's inex- rosion proof. Gift boxed for $9.95 prepaid lethal to all fish. Besides, the "morocato" pensive, will keep your shelter as warm as from C & J Distributors, Dept. F-9, P. O. can simply leave its poisoned home and a greenhouse on sunny days, and will keep Box 391, Cashmere, Wash. 98815. walk to another which is safe. it light even on cloudy days. And it stands Size is another factor. The largest speci- battering North Dakota up under those JEWELRY is the latest from men so far captured in Florida measures OUTDOOR winds, he says. gold tie-bar is minia- about 16 inches in length. But this has been Browning Arms Co.— its first known year. Reports state that in ture replica of a Browning Superposed shot- POLISH should certain parts of Africa it can reach 50 CLEAR FINGERNAIL gun, gold tie-tack is a miniature Browning pounds in weight! be in every sportsman's kit, reports Joe .22 Automatic pistol, cufl" links are mallards Olsen of Miami, Okla. And not as a beauty in flight. For catalogue, write; Browning DEER HUNTERS, the old-timers who get aid! It's great for stopping the fraying of Arms Co., Morgan, Utah. a trophy every year, know that scent will rod wrappings, will touch up lures, keep help out, repair leaks you do the same. And none is better screws from backing minor If you have a helpful idea for this feature than the scent of apples. On your next trip, in equipment, etc. send it in. If we can use it we'll pay you carry a few ripe ones in the pocket of your S5.00. However, we cannot acknowledge, return, or enter into correspondence concern- hunting jacket. When on a stand, crush a DO-IT-YOURSELF fishing rods are rec- ing contributions. Address: Outdoor Editor, couple and spread them around you. They ommended projects for anglers during the The American Legion Magazine, 720 Fifth help mask man-scent, too. winter off-season. Kits are available for Ave., New York. N.Y. 10019.

46 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 THE VIOLENT HABITS OF THE SOVIET UNION aside shocked Party floor managers, they (Continued from page 11) rushed outside shouting "bread and liberty." As the demonstration grew, police them only to those judged fit to belong. Tito, whose Yugoslav partisans had were called in and opened fire, killing Those deprived of their cards usually fought their own way to power during several demonstrators. lost their jobs as well, and sometimes WW2 and resented Moscow's attempts The short-lived strike did not go un- were jailed or deported. Some extremely to dictate. Unwilling to take on an army noticed in the rest of the satellite world. high officials were put in charge of lesser second only to his own, Stalin turned to The Hungarian Writers' Union began agencies, where their subordinates were other tactics. demonstrating in Budapest in a show of instructed to quarrel with them and mis- Before the outside world realized that solidarity with the Poles. They were carry instructions. Soon men who had Stalin's supremacy was being chal- joined by workers demanding a change run the highest affairs of the government lenged, the Soviet dictator began steps in the system. By Oct. 23, university run smaller to bring Tito to heel. Freight trains were were found "unfit" to students were demonstrating. Soon, ban- agencies. diverted from reaching empty Yugoslav ners blossomed forth all over Budapest, mills with urgently needed raw materials By 1934. Party membership had but they were emblazoned with the na- and finished goods. Soviet agents began shrunk by about one third. tional colors of Hungary and not the infiltrating the Yugoslav party with hammer and sickle. propaganda. The word went out to all SOON THE PURGES took on a grimmer Soviet tanks appeared and were booed other satellites that Tito had become an aspect and reached deeper into the by youngsters in the streets. The jibes outcast from the Soviet family. top echelons, climaxed by the three were mostly good natured until one tank The Russians are reliably reported to famed trials of prominent revolutionaries fired point blank at crowds massed in have made several attempts to slip as- in August 1936, January 1937 and March Parliament Square. In an instant, the sassins into Yugoslavia, for they made 1938. While the Western world watched demonstration became a rebellion. West- no secret of the fact that they wanted to in disbelief, leaders who had fought ern newsmen at the scene said the Rus- eliminate Tito one way or another. through the revolution and devoted their sians began firing at random as scream- that Tito's lives to the Party cause, now indulged Determined "heresy" ing crowds milled about. Within hours, should not spread throughout their em- in an orgy of self-incrimination, confess- hundreds of bodies lay in the streets. ing to acts of treason and sabotage they pire, the Russians coined "Titoism" as for traitor arranged a series had obviously never committed. It was the label and SEVEN DAYS and nights the battle of treason trials within the bloc. FOR the world's first view of the sinister art Any raged. The defenders, mostly young- Communist who opposed an economic of brainwashing. The defendants who sters, set tanks afire with Molotov cock- plan that had been hatched in Moscow were sent before firing squads included tails and tore up paving blocks to build was automatically denounced as a such illustrious Party names as former barricades. Thousands perished in the "Titoist." Premier A. I. Rykov and two former streets as the Russians retaliated sav- presidents of the Communist Interna- Czechoslovakia's veteran party offi- agely, pounding their ramparts to rubble. tional, Grigori Zinoviev and Nikolai cial, Rudolf Slansky, became a purge Imre Nagy, a moderate Communist Bukharin. The purge then extended into victim. So did Traicho Rostov, who had popular with the people, was called back the upper ranks of the military and re- been the No. 2 man in Bulgaria. to power. On Oct. 31, Nagy publicly sulted in the firing squad for Marshal When Rostov was brought to trial, he repudiated Moscow's cherished Warsaw M. N. Tukhachevsky, one of the most suddenly departed from the script pre- pact and demanded recognition of Hun-

gifted leaders of the Red Army and pared by his inquisitors and shouted to gary's neutrality. Anastas I. Mikoyan, seven fellow generals. Before the purge a handful of Western newsmen he the Rremlin's No. I troubleshooter. who of the army was over, about two thirds spotted in the courtroom: "I am not had been sent to Budapest, indicated of the officer corps from colonel upward, guilty. I've been tortured by men who that he understood. including 15 generals, were arrested. call themselves comrades." Suddenly, the Russians began to with- Many military and civilian leaders were draw from Budapest and wild rejoicing believed shot in secret, plus the known AFTER THAT REVEALING episodc, the broke out in the capital as citizens be- executions. Communists became more careful came convinced that they had won their WW2 ravaged all of Europe, but the and the so-called "treason trials" were freedom. No one seemed to notice that eastern and western halves presented open only to a few hand-picked spec- Soviet troops still surrounded the airport very difl'erent images after the war. De- tators. and Red reinforcements were being mocracy and a free party system pre- Stalin died in March 1953. But only flown in daily.

vailed through most of the West, but in the face of Communism changed, as the The grim truth dawned at 1 a.m. Sun- the East, the guns of the Red Army and power passed briefly to Malenkov and day, Nov. 4, as Soviet armor and trucks the Soviet Secret Police terrorized or then to Nikita Rhrushchev. In June a filled with Russian troops began pouring liquidated all opposition while the Krem- group of workers in East Berlin went on into Budapest. Soviet planes thundered lin imposed an alien system on the 100 strike for better working conditions. over the city with leaflets warning Hun- million inhabitants of the area. Today, When the uprising threatened to spread garians not to resist. Nagy came on the nearly a quarter of a century later, most throughout the Communist state, the air and denounced Soviet treachery, of eastern Europe remains in the grip Soviet rulers sent in tanks to restore or- vowing that the nation would defend it-

of Red military occupation. The so- der. While the West looked on. Red self. But it was just an exercise in ora- called Warsaw military pact gives the armor ran down workers who tried to tory. This time, the Freedom Fighters, Russians free entry into eastern Europe. defend themselves with rocks. How their guard down and many of their Unlike the North Atlantic Treaty Or- many perished in the uprising has never leaders in jail, didn't have a chance.

ganization (NATO) no member can de- been learned, but it was believed to num- A puppet regime was set up under cide to pull out of the alliance of Soviet ber in the hundreds. Janos Radar, who dutifully parroted the bloc nations, if the Russians don't want The 1956 rebellion in Hungary was Rremlin line, and within days resistance it to. actually triggered by a strike in Poland. became just a memory. There were 12,-

The first, and so far only, successful It began in June when workers in the 000 dead in Hungary and 1 50,000 were challenge to Soviet control over Eastern Zispo factory of Poznan, Poland's fifth deported to Russia, thence mostly to the Europe came from Marshal Josip Broz city, threw down their tools. Brushing (Continued on page 48)

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 47 THE VIOLENT HABITS OF THE SOVIET UNION has the opposite meaning from the way (Continued from page 47) the press uses it in U.S. politics. Dubcek was conservative, bleak farms of Kazakhstan, where it is contributed to the length and complexity by our standards, as he called for safe to assume any survivors still dwell of the historic mess in the Congo which more freedom for the people, fewer in forced labor camps. nearly bankrupted the UN. With 93,000 restrictions and less manage- The brutal example of Hungary tended UN troops from 34 nations serving there ment of private affairs by the government. is to keep the lid on open revolt in the at one time or another, the operation This all very confusing.) Dubcek tried to satellites for more than a decade, and cost $433 million, to which Russia re- assure Moscow of his proved to eastern Europe at least that fused to contribute anything. country's loyalty, but in March the Czechs forced Novotny out as nothing had "changed." But more indi- The removal of Khrushchev in 1964 president, under public viduals began fleeing across the borders. and his replacement by the more suave pressure, and replaced him Back in with Gen. Ludvik Svoboda, a hero 1953, some 58,000 had es- Kosygin and Brezhnev, is the foundation war in esteemed by his countrymen. caped one month at the time of the for claims that now things really are dif- Soviet terror campaign in East On April 5, Dubcek took a fateful Germany. ferent. What is surely different is their the step when he unveiled In year of the Hungarian suppression, outward manner. Khrushchev, with his an "Action Pro- fled gram" calling for free 279,000 East Germany, the all-time bluster, had a succession of failures when speech, a free high in a decade when IVi million East press and increased contacts with the Germans alone fled, with no count of West. Unmuzzled at last, Czech news-

those killed in the act of « 'dng freedom. papers promptly demanded investiga- The tide continued in and past 1960. tions into the strange death of Foreign Berlin was the easiest escape route. In Minister Jan Masaryk who had plunged 1960, Khrushchev made warlike threats from a window 20 years earlier, and against the West that he would drive us came out with the charge that had long out of West Berlin. In a campaign of been whispered: that the Soviets were terror talk, he advised Western ambassa- involved. dors that nine Russian H bombs could wipe out Britain and France. He next NEXT THE Czechs pressed for opposi- delivered a public ultimatum to President tion political parties, and, on April Kennedy to get out of Berlin, and only 8, Dubcek yielded and named SociaHst backed down when Kennedy, on July 25, and Peoples Party members to his cabi- 1961, firmly called on the United States net. This was dangerous ground indeed, to take steps to prepare for possible war unless the Soviets had "changed." Back and rapidly started to expand our armed in 1918, Lenin, asked if opposition forces. parties would be permitted to exist, had Khrushchev never clearly abandoned said that they certainly would exist—in his Berlin ultimatum, he merely subsided prison. And in 50 years no ruling Com- slowly while terror and economic pres- munist bureaucracy had ever permitted sure against fleeing East Germans was another party to exist outside of prison stepped up. It did no good. The flood of or the grave. refugees willing to risk death to escape The rest is recent history. Soviet lead- "I'm sorry I'm late but on my way home simply swelled. ers, in mid-August, agreeably met with this guy pulled a gun and forced me to To the 12th of August, 181,007 East fly him to Cuba." Dubcek and let him discuss the new Germans had fled to the West in 1961. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE Czech freedoms and return home in On August 13, the Soviets started to peace. But while those who ignored their throw up the Berlin wall. While 11,000 his bluff was called by Kennedy, the UN, Communist history were hailing Dub- still escaped in the next year, the wall et al. cek's "success," the Reds simply used the effectively cut the leak in the Red prison So far, America has not suffered a dis- talking time to assemble the powerful empire to a trickle. The Wall still stands aster from the counsel of those who armed forces that rolled into Czechoslo- and it is still death to try to beat it, under preach that the different head proves a vakia on the 20th. the present "mellow" Soviet regime. different heart. Instead, it was the Czechs They came with stunning speed while who dared to test that theory. Czech couples were strolling in Prague's ABOUT THE SAME time, AT Belgium Czechoslovakia began to attract at- Wencelas Square enjoying the balmy gave to . freedom the Belgian tention of the men in Moscow in October evening. Just before midnight of Aug. 20, Congo, which promptly collapsed into 1967, when Prague University students people living near the border began fran- such an orgy of violence and mayhem marched on the headquarters of their tically calling friends and relatives in the that Belgian troops returned. The Com- Soviet-line President Antonin Novotny capital that armored columns were pour- munist puppet in the Congo, the late Pa- to demand better living conditions. When ing across the frontiers. Taxis and private trice Lumumba, cried for the UN to in- Czech intellectuals joined in calling for cars began racing through Prague, their tervene and drive the Belgian troops back an easing of Novotny's Stalinist policies, horns blaring a belated alert. out. The Soviets voted it for in the UN Soviet party chief Leonid I. Brezhnev At 1:10 a.m. of the 2 1 st. Radio Prague Security Council, expecting the UN to flew to Prague to pressure the Presidium confirmed that troops of the Soviet Union withdraw after ousting the Belgians, leav- of the Czech Communist Party into back- with token support from the four pact ing the Congo to Soviet control under ing the president. partners had indeed invaded Czechoslo- Lumumba. When the UN forces re- vakia. About 200,000 Red soldiers thrust mained to restore order, the Soviets is- INSTEAD, LAST Jan. 5, the Czechs ousted across the border in a matter of hours. sued tirades against the UN and pro- Novotny from his key job as secre- Soviet and East German units knifed ceeded to provide military backing for tary of the Party. They replaced him with southward from East Germany; forces Lumumba and other Red factions in the Alexander Dubcek, leader of the new from the Ukraine rumbled in from the Congo to battle the UN forces. The UN "liberal" faction, though Novotny was East; Polish and Russian troops seized troops there finally closed the airports to still President. (The word "liberal" as the industrial city of Ostrava in the Soviet supply planes. The Soviet action applied by our press to Czechoslovakia North. Columns of Soviet tanks roared

48 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 —

northward from Hungary into the Slovak Russians were trying to give their action capital of Bratislava where Dubcek and some semblance of respectability in the the Warsaw pact leaders had only re- eyes of an angry world. Feverishly they cently exchanged amenities. tried to patch together a puppet regime,

Now you may get the money you need . . . Soviet setting up Kolder, Indra and Bilak as a Little From the sky, an armada of FAST! Borrow$100 to $1,000 with a Money- Pay As fight- joint command. But the three utterly By-Mail "Secret Loan" from Dial. Absolute As $5.00 transport planes, escorted by MIG privacy. No co-signers needed. AtSOLUTILY a Month lacked the stature to give a new govern- NO MORTGAGES OF ANY KIND REQUIRED. ers, descended on Prague with paratroop You use your own signature. Iây up old Ca*h 30 Montkly ment even an appearance of legitimacy. bills and have cash left over out of every units of Soviet secret police ordered to paycheck. (Special: Credit life insurance YOM G«t Piirnienh available, at nommal cost). Whatever you capital's airfields, railroad despair that had enveloped Czech- $104.65 $5.00 secure the The need money for . . . get it FAST . . . and in privacy by Mail from Dial Write todsy- 293.02 14.00 stations, cable and broadcast centers. oslovakia lifted somewhat when Svoboda No Obligation. 532.26 25.00 Dubcek read the handwriting on the went to Moscow two days after the Soviet DIAL FINANCE CO., Dept. M 092 Cnh 36 Monthly You G(t Paymcfitt 41 OKIIpjtrlckBldt, Onnh», H ebr. 6»H12 1 wall and urged the people not to resist. takeover and received a 2 -gun salute (819.57 $33.00 FdIAL finance CO., Dept. M 092 1009.36 40.00 But students began taunting the Soviet with all the red carpet trimmings before 410 Kilpatrlck BIdg., Omaha, Nebr. 6(102 1 Please rush Loan Urder AGENT 1 paratroopers and two youths made a they hustled him off to the Kremlin for ! FREE Blank. NO WILL CALL I dash for the Central Committee Build- a lesson in persuasion. Two days later, lâme^^, —„- ing where Dubcek and the other leaders news arrived in Prague that Dubcek, Addreae., « ««, were bottled up. Soviet submachine guns whose whereabouts had become a matter City StaU .îp Code Atnoiint you want to borrow $ cut them down and a third student was of concern, was also in the Soviet capital crushed beneath the treads of a tank. taking part in the talks. Another student darted from a doorway Svoboda called a cheery message to More Comfort Wearing with a homemade firebomb of gas- his people to have faith in their leaders' FALSE TEETH soaked rags and rammed it down the ability to work out a solution, and morale Here Is a pleasant way to overcome loose muzzle of a tank cannon, setting the at home began to soar despite the pres- plate discomfort. FASTEETH — an Improved armored vehicle ablaze. ence of Soviet bloc troops now totalling powder sprinkled on upper and lower plates holds dentures firmer so they feel more com- The Russians, certainly eager to en- about 600,000 men. fortable. No gummy, gooey, pasty taste or feeling. FASTEETH is alkaline. Doesn't sour. Helps courage their "mellow"' image, appar- Some Czechs actually began to believe check "dental plate odor" Dentures that fit health. See your dentist regu- ently had orders to hold their fire unless that the nationwide show of wrath at the are essential to larly. Get FASTEETH at all drug counters. seriously provoked. But it sometimes Soviet invasion and the worldwide con- took little provocation, according to news demnation it had provoked had shamed dispatches that trickled out of the occu- the Kremlin into retreat. It was much the you miserable with pain and aches of leg pied nation. 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By making no official re- appeals for national sovereignty and This Money-Saving Way YESI Teach your- sistance, the governmentsavcd thousands. even the rudiments of self determination self Piano, Gul- 1 1 1' tar, ANY instru- kk« I Inside the headquarters of the Central for Czechoslovakia. ment—even If you don't know a note now! Famous proven Course Committee, the discussion was broken off makes it easy as A-B-C. Play actual pieces right away. FREE BOOKLET. U.S. SCHOOL OF MUSIC when Defense Minister Martin Dzur THIS WRITING, Dubcck Still livcs, AT Studio 4612. Port Washington, N. Y. 11050. (Est. telephoned that the Russians had in- but the Czech freedoms have gone 1898. Lie. ,V. }'. Stale Educ. Dept.) Tear out this ad. vaded. the way of Kronstadt and Hungary. So- "How could they do this to me?" viet troops are now permanently sta- riTT^GAME SUPPLIES

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THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 49 THE GROWING MENACE OF SLEEPING SICKNESS and puddle spraying, elimination of (and (Continued from page 22) avoidance of) needless standing water for mosquito breeding, etc. common now and may continue so. in an area it has plenty of ways to stay Since mos- There was another alarming outbreak there without relying on birds. quitoes do not travel far, householders in New Jersey this year, and in 1966, The birds become important because, who prevent mosquito breeding by elim- when encephalitis appeared in 20 states, except for the California variety, human inating or spraying standing water on the Florida State Board of Health's infection is transmitted almost entirely their own property go far to protect journal "Florida Health Notes," warned by mosquitoes that have bitten infected themselves. Systematic local control of that "encephalitis is not retreating. Epi- birds. standing water in ponds, marshes, etc., demiologists are predicting that possibly The one element of bird control that by public agencies, is the next step up the greatest outbreak of human encepha- is partly practical is to keep down the the scale. Where such water bodies are litis lies in the future." population of pest birds near human hab- too extensive (as in Florida and New As with smallpox, plague or rabies, itations—such as sparrows, pigeons and Jersey among other places) vigorous an "epidemic" is not a matter of large starlings. These, plus chicken coops mosquito control near homes is at least numbers, it is a matter of the deadliness amid,st dense human populations, have called for. of small numbers. To Oct 2. 1968, the been related to human infection when Unfortunately, many epidemics are Associated Press reported that there had the mosquito situation was "right." related to "runaway" conditions. The

been 1 1 identified human cases in south and central New Jersey since August. That was enough to move the Galloway Township Civic Association to seek 50,000 signatures on a petition to urge Governor Hughes to step up mosquito control efforts. Six of the 1 1 victims were dead by Oct. 2. Other 1968 outbreaks had been reported in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York. In the 1959 epidemic in New Jersey, 33 human cases (with 21 deaths) were enough to create near panic in some people. Business fell off 30% to 75% at Jersey shore resorts, and the Atlantic City hotel business was reported off about $2 million. The notion that encephalitis is contagious from human-to-human showed up in 50% school absenteeism for a while, and in citizen pressure to close the schools in the three-county area affected. ". . When I said go get number 90, I meant tackle him

THE AMEKICAN l EOION MAGAZINE BUT THERE IS no evidence that any of the four types of virus encephalitis By all odds, the most practical con- Dallas epidemic followed rainfall that

most common to the United States is trol measure to date is mosquito control, left standing water everywhere and had transmitted from man to man, either di- year in and year out, in all areas where the Trinity River over its banks. The rectly or indirectly, or from horse to man there is a significant reservoir of en- predicted Colorado epidemic of 1965 or man to horse. cephalitis in birds, animals, reptiles and was tied to a cool, wet spring and sum- with standing vast areas Nor, except in a limited way, is bird insects. mer, water over control practical. In the light of present There are several faces to mosquito of the high prairies in the eastern part knowledge, there seems to be no realistic control. When an epidemic is already of the state. way to limit the spread of the disease under way in a restricted area (such as Serious as it is, encephalitis would among birds. a city) aerial spraying with malathion be a far more serious problem if it were In a recent study of western ence- has proved itself, as in Dallas. not an "accidental" disease of man. Un- phalitis there appeared to be just too Malathion is a powerful pesticide, but like malaria, the life cycle of the virus

many ways to keep it going among birds. the experts say that a current technique does not require a period of incubation The disease appears to spend the win- of laying on no more than a few ounces in man, and the mosquitoes that give it ter in the north in the bodies of many to the acre is death to mosquitoes and to man do not, by and large, go looking smaller creatures—-squirrels, hares, harmless to man. for humans to bite. Nor is there any in- snakes. To halt the Dallas epidemic, six Air dication that mosquitoes are infected by It appears to be contagious among Force bombers, cooperating with the biting man, or carry the virus from man smaller creatures of all kinds, and not Public Health Service's Communicable to man. Were these things not true, en- only by mosquito bite but by eating an Disease Center and the Dallas and Texas cephalitis would be a far more terrible infected prey, be the eater or the eaten health commissions, laid on the mala- scourge of our society.

a mammal, bird, reptile or insect. Come thion in pre-dawn hours. Investigators It is usually when there is a very spring, mosquitoes that bite some of then went into test areas where they'd large population of the particular in- these, and then bite birds, apparently in- checked the Culex qitinquefascialiis mos- fected mosquito carriers that enough of fect the spring crop of birds, though quito population previously, and found them happen to bite humans to produce

complete knowledge of this process is it 90%. to 95% destroyed. The human the small number of cases that make an still lacking. This pattern seems to be encephalitis ground to a halt, too. epidemic. Thus reasonable control of more important, so far, than the spread Obviously, the most desirable way to the mosquito population, rather than its of the disease by bird migration. That is control mosquitoes is by more conven- elimination, goes a long way to keep to say, once the disease gets established tional and systematic methods—pond down human infection. the end 50 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 REDUCIBLE PERSONAL RUPTURE AGONY Removed (or trial MOBILE HOMES BOOM. COSTS YOU NOTHING) WHEN you slip into a YEAR-END TAX FACTS. low-cost, contour-designed Brooks Patented Air Cush- MAJOR CHANGES IN CAR TIRES. ion Appliance! 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I WANT EVERY READER of this Paper to have my big red bedrooms, living room, dining room and kitchen. «jjl^of That gives you two But note this: You generally can't buy a mobile home on a mortgage. cEE^^ EARUANATOMATO You buy it like a car—20% to 30% down and the rest in installments "KING OF THE EARLIES" Big solid, scarlet fruit, disease running up to ten years. resistant, heavy yielder. Ideal for • The great majority of mobile homeowners stay put for a considerable table or canning. Send 10c for big .jacket or 25c for 3 packets pDPF length of time. They park on a small plot for $40 to $45 per month (elec- and copy of Seed and Nursery Catalog. ^»^" tricity and phone extra). For those who want to move more often, at least R.H.SHUMWAY SEEDSMAN Dept. 308 ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 61101 one company—Winnebago Industries in Iowa—builds self-propelled jobs that sell for $8,200 to $10,700. FALSE sell late TEETH If you hold any securities, remember that you can as as December 31 this year to establish a capital loss. To establish a capital KLUTCH holds them tighter gain, you must sell no later than December 24. KLUTCH forms a comfort cushion: holds dental plates so much firmer and snugger that one can eat The idea behind this kind of jockeying, of course, is to get an income and talk with greater comfort and security; in many cases almost as well as with natural teeth. Klutch tax break. Thus, if you made some profit in the market during the year, lessens the constant fear of a dropping, rocking, you may want to reduce—or escape—the new higher capital gains tax chafing plate. ... If your druggist doesn't have Klutch. don't waste money on substitutes, but send by selling other securities at a loss. us 10<* and we will mail you a generous trial box. ELMIRA, N. Y. 14902 • Note that you can take a net capital loss deduction up to $1,000 off KLUTCH CO.. 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L-8-P0, Chgo, III. 60626 It's supposed to be much safer at high speeds and has improved traction, which is why it first was used on racing cars. Meantime, "radial" LEARN construction and "belted bias" are cropping up all over in the interests MEAT CUTTING of longer wear and better "roll." In this type of tire, a special reinforcing l iiiin quickly in 8 short \veek.s at loledo for a bright future with security in vital belt is built into the casing at a 90 degree angle to the direction of travel meat business. Big pay. full-time jobs— HAVE A PROFITABI E MARKET OP or on a "bias." I YOUR own; Time payment plan available. Diploma given. Job help. Thou- sands of successful craduates. OL'R 45th YEAR! Sen.l now for big new Illustrated Now that federal income taxes are higher all. around, it pays more than alnj;. No cihligalion. CI. Approved. NATIONAL SCHOOL OF MEAT CUTTING ever to keep close tabs on donations so that you can take proper deduc- Dept. A- 13. Toledo. Ohio 43604 tions. 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THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 51 THE STORY OF THE LIBERTY BELL SINCE 1751 $70,000 to the City of Philadelphia (Continued from page 29) which could do with the building and

the bell whatever it chose. Before happened that day as the result of Mc- journey to Allentown, where the wagon public auction became necessary. Philadelphia Nair's enthusiastic ringing of it. creaked up to the Zion Reformed bought the property and the Liberty Bell Another, more generally believed, Church. with it. held that an old man stationed himself The parishioners helped to pry up the Saved, but only from what was soon in the State House tower on the Fourth floorboards of the auditorium and the to become a worse peril, the Liberty Bell of July. To save himself the trouble of Liberty Bell was pulled into the Church rang out, appropriately prophetic, on running up to the belfry to set the bell and lowered by ropes into a hole dug for July 4, 1826, the 50th "jubile" of the to bonging, he asked a small boy to listen it. The flooring was then replaced. The adoption of the Declaration, as a great to the proceedings in the assembly audi- Liberty Bell remained in its underground parade of cavalry and rifle regiments torium and, when the Declaration of vault for about a year but was back on marched through the city. Few in Phila- Independence was adopted, to run from its perch in Philadelphia in plenty of delphia knew, however, that the peals the building and shout the good news time to peal out the news of Gen. Lord of joy would, within days, turn to a up to him. This story was repeated as Charles Cornwallis' surrender to Wash- dirge. For on that same jubilee day, two fact in at least one encyclopedia and ington at Yorktown in 1781. former Presidents, Thomas JefTerson, many schoolbooks. Historians long ago In subsequent years, it rang out with the man who authored the Declaration good as well as news. It tolled a traced its origin to popular novelist bad welcome to of Independence, and John Adams, who George Lippard of Philadelphia, who Washington when he came assisted him with the task, died. wrote the story 71 years after the fact The City of Philadelphia did some under the title, "The Fourth of July, renovating of the State House and, in 1776." 1828, hired John Wilbank, a German- Exactly when the State House bell be- town foundryman, to cast a bell, more came known as the Liberty Bell is not than double the size of the Liberty Bell, known. The bell had many names in- for use with a new steeple clock. As part cluding: the Province Bell, the Bell of payment, Wilbank was to get the Liberty the Revolution and the Independence Bell which was adjudged to have a junk Bell. historians say the Many name Lib- value of $400. erty Bell originated shortly after 1839, 63 years after the Declaration of Inde- Wilbank went about the job pendence, when an author, WHEN anonymous of lowering the Liberty Bell from no doubt an abolitionist, published an the tower and carting it to his melting anti-slavery pamphlet, "The Liberty pots, he discovered the costs would be Bell," which was widely read. higher than he anticipated. Wilbank is The Liberty Bell rang out to celebrate said to have snorted, "Drayage costs the Fourth of July, 1777. a great Then more than the bell's worth." He left it danger befell it. By mid-September of hanging. If that was a narrow escape, it that year. Sir William Howe was leading wasn't the end of it. British soldiers on Philadelphia. Con- The City of Philadelphia immediately gress ordered all the bells and chimes in sued Wilbank for breach of contract. In the city to be taken down. They were what must be regarded as one of the "She digs me, she digs me not- to be immediately removed, to go by a THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE more fortuitous compromises in Ameri- roundabout route 80 miles north for can jurisprudence, even if the city did safekeeping in Northhampton, Pa. (later to Philadelphia, and its muffled clapper not agree to it with too much enthusi- Allentown), a munitions center for the tolled his death. For ten years it called asm, Wilbank agreed to pay court costs Continental Army. Congress to order in the old State House and Philadelphia accepted his "gift" of

and it celebrated every Fourth of July, the Liberty Bell.

NEITHER PATRIOTISM nor sentiment as it similarly rang out on New Year's Once again the Liberty Bell continued dictated the action. The British eves. The Liberty Bell pealed the vic- to peal its messages of joy and tragedy. were certain to melt the bells and cast tory of "Old Ironsides"—the U.S.S. In 1835, two days after it celebrated the them into bullets for firing at the Ameri- Constitution—over the Guerriere dur- Fourth of July, Chief Justice John Mar- cans. If the bells had to be recast into ing the War of 1812. It announced news shall of the U.S. Supreme Court died in bullets, it would be better that they be of the election of presidents. Sadly, the Philadelphia. On July 8, 59 years to the put into American muskets. muffled bell also tolled a dirge as, one day after the Liberty Bell rang out its The Liberty Bell, and the ten other by one, the signers of the Declaration of proclamation of the Declaration of In- bells in the city, were loaded onto Independence died. dependence, the muffled clapper tolled wagons which joined a 700-wagon train In 1816, Pennsylvania legislators as Marshall's funeral cortege passed of refugees fleeing Philadelphia by way voted to abandon the decaying State through Philadelphia. The bell continued of Trenton, N.J., and Bethlehem, Pa. House and move to a new capitol build- its slow, mournful dirge as the steamboat The bell hulked large on the wagon of ing in Harrisburg. To finance construc- carrying his body to Virginia for burial John Jacob Mickley, a teamster who tion, they decided to sell the State House, puffed down the Delaware River. regularly hauled applejack into Phila- including the Liberty Bell. An appraisal Sometime during those hours, the Lib- delphia. On September 23, the day after showed the property might, at public erty Bell cracked. leaving the city, Mickley's wagon col- auction, bring around $150,000 from The fracture was about as wide as a lapsed in front of the Moravian Brethren someone who could be expected to tear man's pinkie finger and extended ver- House in Bethlehem, presumably under the building down, sell the old lumber tically from the lip to about two-thirds the weight of the bell. It was manhandled and the Liberty Bell as scrap, and sub- of the way up the side of the bell. onto another wagon. Teamster Frederick divide the grounds into building pads. Many theories have been advanced to Leaser tugged on the reins and the horses An alternate possibility was sug- explain why the bell cracked. One holds struggled with the bell during the short gested: sell the statehouse property for that the break, although invisible at the

52 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . D ECEMBER 1968 time, probably originated when the Lib- only two with full peals in the city, be to New Orleans for the Cotton .States erty Bell suffered a hard jolt as Mick- rung that day. A $30 fee was approved. Industrial Exposition. The bell was ley's wagon collapsed in Bethlehem. If One faction raised the issues that, be- trimdled from Independence Hall on a true, why hadn't the bell cracked sooner? cause Washington had been a member special platform. Six black horses pulled

During the more than half century that of Christ Church, only its bells should the bunting-draped wagon holding it, had ensued, the bell had, moreover, ring. Another faction, representing St. while a guard of honor consisting of 48

been given much harder usage than it Peter's, offered the compromise that the hand-picked Philadelphia policemen, had during the muffled, slow dirge for fee be split by the two churches. Christ each of them six feet or more tall, Chief Justice Marshall. Church replied that they must get the marched alongside. Metallurgists have more plausible ex- full $30. else their bells would remain planations. silent. PUFFING MIGHTILY, a railroad derrick "The Liberty bell is suffering from an With this impasse, the council voted ever so delicately lifted the Liberty organic disease of long standing," said that neither church would get the job Bell onto the special flatcar and swung it Wilfred Jordan of Philadelphia in 1916. and instructed the Superintendent of the under a special yoke on which the words "As with many people, a disorder might State House Steeple. William Eckel, to were emblazoned: "1776—PROCLAIM be called hereditary and date from birth, put the Liberty Bell in order for the LIBERTY." The flatcar's ornate wooden so the defects of this old relic date from celebration. The edges of the fracture railings were festooned with red, white

its first casting in England. were filed out (thus widening the crack and blue streamers and the words "Phila- "This organic trouble arises from the to about three-quarters of an inch) with delphia-New Orleans" near an emblem scientific truth that all metal castings are the hope of avoiding vibration. The ser- showing clasped hands. At the far end subject to internal strains due to natural rated filing marks remain on the bell to of the car was a cabin for the guard shrinkage in cooling. These are known as this day. Eckel swept up the filings and who accompanied the "Liberty Bell Spe-

'cooling strains' and the . . . fracture in cial." Philadelphia city officials rode in the Liberty Bell was most probably due the sleeping cars.

to such a cause . . . Each time the heavy No less a celebration welcomed the clapper struck the bell, the molecules Liberty Bell home, where once again it contiguous to the flaw were thrown into was to become embroiled in controversy.

violent vibration and what is known to As the artillery of Philadelphia's Battery metallurgists as 'breaking down in de- A boomed a salute for every one of the tail' took place ... In plain words, the 109 years since the Declaration of In- crack extended at first perhaps only a dependence, a mammoth parade got un-

millionth of an inch . . . Such a minute der way. flaw may . . . (have taken) . . . years Floral tributes cascaded from the Lib- to reach the surface, even under the vi- erty Bell. In the parade were carriages brations caused by the strokes of a bell of city officials, police chiefs and mili- ." clapper. . . tary leaders: the rigs of volunteer fire Added Alexander E. Outerbridge, Jr., companies, Philadelphia fire engines, a Franklin Institute metallurgist, who hose carts, and hook and ladder com- was destined to play a most significant panies which were, themselves, decked role in doctoring the Liberty Bell: out in red, white and blue bunting and "It is no hyperbolical figure of speech American flags. to say that the venerated Liberty Bell The bill for the gala reception, com- is afflicted with a serious disease. Metal- plete with brandy and cigars, came to lurgists have adopted into their technical $1,397.82, which the city comptroller jargon the term 'diseases of metals,' and refused to pay after the Philadelphia "!'!! tell you something if you'll promise to recognize several I with maladies. have behave like a brave little fireman ..." solicitor declared the illegality of dis- no hesitation in saying that the bell has THE AMERICA.V LEGION MAGAZINE bursing public funds "for entertainment,

. . . distemper." eating, drinking and smoking." had them cast into a miniature Liberty In later years, the bell traveled to Chi- OUTERBRIDGE CITED (a) the brittleness Bell, which ultimately found its place cago; Atlanta; Charleston, S.C.; St. of the original bell, (b) Pass and among other Independence Hall curios. Louis, and to Massachusetts for a me- Stow's addition of copper to strengthen In 1852, the Liberty Bell was taken morial celebration at Bunker Hill. Re-

the mixture, and (c) their probable from the tower for display and, during turning from Chicago, it stopped off in use of tin to restore the tone. Outer- the years that followed, was placed in Allentown. bridge said, "Under the circumstances, various rooms in Independence Hall. At As requests for further travels con-

the casting cannot possibly have been one time it stood on a 13-sided wood tinued to be received, a group of Phila- of a homogeneous composition, and the pedestal with the American flag draped delphians, including descendants of

bell was, therefore, subject to abnormal above and around it, while a stuffed some signers of the Declaration of In- shrinkage and cooling strains." Outer- eagle, its wings outstretched, perched dependence, sued to halt the trips for

bridge added that tests made in remelting atop it. Supported from its original fear of causing further damage to the pure copper several times showed that wooden beam, the Liberty Bell was later Liberty Bell. They said, too, that the

each melting caused it to lose tensile placed in a window and afterward hung trips were an expensive boondoggle for

strength and resilience. in the rotunda by a chain of 13 sym- city officials who accompanied it. In

Many people think the Bell never was bolic links. To protect it from souvenir 1907 a new crack was discovered in

rung again after it cracked in 1835. It hunters and vandals who whacked off the hell. The zigzag fracture was a con- rang in 1846 as a result of a squabble perhaps 40 pounds of metal from around tinuation of the original one and ex- between local city officials and church- its lip, the Liberty Bell had to be put in tended to the right, up and around the men. While planning a celebration of a glass and mahogany enclosure. crown of the bell for nearly one-quarter Washington's birthday, the Philadelphia In 1885, the Liberty Bell made the of its circumference. Common Council proposed that the hefls first of what were to be six goodwill trips Outerbridge, one of those who had of St. Peter's and Christ Churches, the outside of Philadelphia. It was shipped {Continued on page 54)

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 53 THE STORY OF THE LIBERTY BELL SINCE 1751 signed Messerschmitt fighter planes in (Continued from page 53) the Oberammergau, Germany, plant. Design of a "T" shaped steel support argued the bell was too sick to travel, ring out once again with its original which would inconspicuously be was hired to minister to it. He found tone. In 1959, Albert A. Hughes, master mounted in the yoke was, therefore, no that the strain of the fracture was grad- founder of Mears & Stainback Foundry, insurmountable task for them. ually pulling the bell apart and recom- London, successors to the old White- Although the yoke was removed to mended that four padded stilts be placed chapel Foundry, offered to fix the Lib- the Institute for the delicate insertion under its lip to relieve the pressure. erty Bell without charge as a gesture task, the Liberty Bell remained at In- Later, Outerbridge recommended four of gratitude for America's role in WW2. dependence Hall where it was lowered additional stilts. The stilts resembled Melford O. Anderson, Independence onto a doughnut-shaped trough of con- trumpets standing upright. Hall superintendent, replied that the crete to absorb the weight and insure He designed a "spider" of inch-thick crack must remain forever as a "symbol no further widening of the crack. The wrought iron straps. The legs of the of freedom in the United States." story of the Liberty Bell had still an- spider emanated from a hub up inside The infirmities of age were once more other surprise. Forestry experts ex- the bell that was mounted on the clap- manifesting themselves by the early amined the yoke and concluded that the per support. The spider legs terminated 1960"s when the Franklin Institute was history books were wrong in tradition- in six equally spaced claws which again called upon to tend the bell's ail- ally assuming the yoke was of black wal- clamped to the edge of the lip and held ments. An 18-month study showed the nut. It was, they found, either of slip- the bell together. Tautness was provided crack had not spread, but that, among pery elm or hackberry. by screws. About this time, the upper other things, the bronze pedestal on and lower extremities of the original which the bell stood was somehow bent, IHE WORK WAS DONE in two months fracture were secured by bolts to further thus causing the Liberty Bell to sufl"er and, in the spring of 1962, the bell keep the Liberty Bell from falling apart. from "the wobbles." A new steel pedestal was mated once more with its original The spider and the bolts are still in place was called for, together with new ver- yoke. The following year. Congress today. tical supports designed to provide more passed a resolution calling for bells rigidity to eliminate the wobbling. across the nation to ring simultaneously OUTERBRIDGE SHORTLY noted, with Although the original yoke had been for several minutes every Fourth of July mixed emotions, that he had doc- reinforced with a steel plate in 1929, at a time corresponding to the hour of 2 tored the Liberty Bell all too well. The better support was badly needed here, p.m., in Philadelphia. bell was wired for a transcontinental tele- too. Temperature and humidity changes The Liberty Bell stands today, sturdy phone hookup with San Francisco. The had necessitated constant tightening of and indomitable, just inside the south call followed the historic first transcon- the jumbo holts in the wooden beam. entrance of Independence Hall. A pla- tinental telephone conversation by two The bolts needed to be replaced with card says we paid 60 pounds 14 shillings weeks between the Bay City and Boston. slender, better-gripping ones. 5 pence for the bell. But no man has

At 5:17 p.m., Saturday, February I 1, The job of ministering to the Liberty ever quoted a price for the message it 1915, Philadelphia Mayor Rudolph Bell fell this time to two members of has symbolized for 215 years: "PRO- Blankenburg gave a signal and a worker the Institute's Mechanical and Nuclear CLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT tapped the Liberty Bell with a hardwood Engineering Laboratories. A. Zenos ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE mallet three times at five-second inter- Zudans and George Notovickis, natives INHABITANTS THEREOF." vals. Microphones attached to the Lib- of Latvia. During WW2 they had de- THE END erty Bell led to wires which carried the sounds to San Francisco where Mayor

James Rolph, Jr.. and 200 other city STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION dignitaries held receivers to their ears. (Act of October 23, 1962; Section 4369. Title 39, United States Code)

As the taps were distinctly heard, a 1. Diite of filing: September. 1968. thcrcnnder the names and addresses of stock- holders owning or holding 1 percent or marc of bugler played the "Star-Spangled Ban- 2. Title of Publication: THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE. total amount of stock. Jf not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual ner." 3. Frequency of issue: Monthly. owners must be given. If owned by a partnership San Franciscans who had heard the 4. Location of known office of publication: 1100 or other unincorporated firm, its name and ad- West Broadway, Louisville. Kentucky 40201 dress, as well as that of each individual must be sounds of the Liberty Bell now insisted (Jelterson Comity). given.) that they see it during their imminent >. Location of the headcjuarters or general busi- The American Legion, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., ness offices of the publishers: 700 N. Pennsyl- Indianapolis. Indiana 46206. Panama-Pacific International Exposi- vania St.. Indianapolis. Ind. 46206. 8. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other 6. and publisher, editor, tion. Again Philadelphians debated the Names addresses of security holders owning or holding 1 percent or and managing editor: more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or trip. Outerbridge warned against it. To Publisher: James F. O'.Neil. 720 Fifth Avenue, other securities: None. the great political pressure put upon the New York, .New York lOOl'i. 9. For completion of nonpi'ofit oi'ganizations Editor: Robert B. Pitkin, 72(1 Fifth Avenue, city petition 200,- authorized to mail at special rates (Section was added a signed by New York, New York 10019. 132,122. Postal Manual) The purpose, function, Managing Editor: None. 000 California schoolchildren. and nonprofit status of this organization and the 7. Owner ( // owned by a corporation, its name exempt status for Federal income tax purposes The journey was the Liberty Bell's and address must be stated and also immediately have not changed during preceding 12 months. longest and last outside of the city. It Average left Independence Hall only one more No. Copies Single Issue Each Issue During Nearest time for a Liberty Loan Parade in Phila- To Preceding Filing Date delphia during WWl. On D-Day, June 12 Months 10. EXTENT AND NATURE OF CIRCULATIO r 6, 1944. during two radio broadcasts A. Total No. Copies Printed (Net Press Run) 2.562.905 2,614.368 that were carried throughout the land B. Paid Circulation 1. Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, and rebroadcast to our troops overseas. Street Vendors and Counter Sales None None 2. Mail Subscriptions 2,536,425 2.595,798 Mayor Bernard Samuel tapped the bell C. Total Paid Circulation 2,536,425 2,595,798 with a rubber mallet: one stroke for D. Free Distribution (including samples) by Mail, Carrier or Other Means 12,971 12,470 each letter of the words. "Independence" E. Total Distribution (sum of C and D) 2,549,396 2,608,268 "Liberty." F. Office LIse, Left-Over, Unaccounted, Spoiled and After Printing 13,509 6,100 Since then there have been many pro- G. Total (sum of E and F—should equal net press riui shown in A) 2,562,905 2.614,368 posals for repairing the bell so it could I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. James F. O'Neil 54 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 are YOU unlucky? 500 RETURN ADDRESS LABELS THE GIRL whose dreams never come true THE MAN success passes by "ssSHOPPER NOW YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT ITI This age-old symbol of Irish luck -the LUCKY LEPRECHAUN-cast 50c In the original good lucit mould from gleaming solid silver or USE YOUR gold, can now be YOURS. Test his magnetic power under our "ZIP" CODE money-bacit guarantee. Airmalted RICH GOLD TRIM to you overnight from Ireland FREE PLASTIC BOX with complete free history and guarantee. Qmck and liandy way to put your name and return The authentic Send now only S3.00 for address on letters, checks, books, records, etc. Silver- $10 for 9kt Gold- LUCKY LEPRECHAUN ANY name, address and Zip code up to 4 lines, from S15 for 14kt Gold (No Ireland beautifully printed in black on white gummed COO'S) tO: labels with rich gold trim. About 2" long. Free ' Silvercraft Ltd. plastic box for purse or desk. Set of 500 labels 20A Albert Walk, BRAY, IREUND just 50^ postpaid. Shipped within 48 hrs. Money back if not pleased. Don't know the Zip Code?

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THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 55 r

WEE GARDENERS The squirrels scatter mulch about PARTING SHOTS While storing nuts and seeds. And rabbits eat the foliage Of everything but weeds; Now our tomato plants are gone Except a tiny nub; Alas! I fear I can't compete With Nature's Garden Club! Mildred Pokes Hobbs

" "IT WASN'T TOO BAD . . . Maybe we were pretty poor in the old days, but at least dime stores didn't have to use layaway plans.

Lucille J. Goodyear

JOG VS JOB My neighbor is a faddist With a slight mental quirk. He will jog five miles, with gusto But ride five blocks to work.

J. Homer McLin

BIG TOP HEAVY Circus fatty: Highweigliman Cvikota Raymond J. ADEPT GENERATION Even the youngest couples now Though barely past their teens. All seem to know exactly how To live beyond their means! E. B. DE VlTO

"Where's the idiot who taught my girl friend karate?" SAD STORY THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE A really henpecked husband is one who gets in the doghouse for making too much noise while getting his own breakfast. D. O. Flvnn WHOSE CONTROL? On tlie first visit to the obstetrician after the birtli of our first baby, I COME HAIL OR HIGH WATER explained to the doctor that my husband and I had been discussing how I know I look ghastly: a terrible clod, far apart we should space our children and we wanted his opinion to help But kindly take nolo that I'm wearing us reach a decision. what's "mod"; "I'm not a very good person to ask," replied, the doctor. "I have two Now, should I be daring, an object of children thirteen months apart." pity- sporting dress that's "Thirteen months apart," I gasped, "don't you believe in birth control?" By a becoming and pretty? "Sure I do," said the doctor. Frances Craze "Then how could that happen?" "I deal with m\ wife onh on a social basis, not a medical one," he answered. Lori S. Klingman

GOOD SCOUT When a man who was a newcomer to town chanced to pass Bill Smith and his friend, Jim Jones, on the avenue. Smith remarked: "There goes one man whose wife doesn't mind when he spends a night with the boys." "H'm," commented Jonesy, "the strong, resolute master of his home type, eh?" "Well, not exactly," replied Smith. "He's the new Scoutmaster." F. G. Kernan

FAST DRAW A note of awe hung over a large automobile club in Southern California ever since a woman came in recently for her license renewal. She was asked if she had her renewal card. "My what?" she queried. The clerk described the perforated card motorists received from Sacra- mento which identified the car, the fee to be paid, and looked like a check.

"Is that what that was?" exclaimed the woman. "I saw the .|40 on it so I took it to the supermarket and they cashed it for me!" "Oh, Ralph! Won't you ever learn to relax! Dan Bennett THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE

56 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1968 Schenley Reserve.

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And elegant to taste, because it's so ultra-smooth.

Give it to friends and relatives on your list.

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