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Vol. III, No. 47 U. S. Naval Operating Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Saturday, 15 January 1949

CIVILIAN PAY STATUS H. CROMMELIN GTMO. MARDI GRAS TO BE APPROXIMATELY SAME IS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF FOR NAVY RELIEF

The twenty-five per cent differ- Captain Henry Crommelin, USN, This is the time of year when the ential for American citizen em- reported aboard the Base on 22 various organizations which depend ployees of NOB, Guantanamo in November 1948 to become the Chief upon contributions from individu- positions subject to the classifica- of Staff to the Commander, N.O.B. als for support get busy and draw Wtion act was abolished in accord- The personnel of the Base are up their campaigns for extracting ance with an Executive Order of gradually becoming aware of the what they can to insure the fur- the President, effective 26 Decem- therance of their worthy projects. ber, 1948. The March of Dimes, Community In lieu of the differential, em- Chest, Red Cross, Navy Relief - ployees will receive a post allow- deserving organizations all - merit ance authorized for this Base, the your help, and to date have not amount of such allowance depend- been let down by the Navy. ing on basic pay rate, marital This year, however, the local status, and number of dependents. folks who administer the Navy Tentative determination of total Relief Society put their combined salary and allowance to be received heads together and decided not by employees indicates that pay merely to TAKE but also to giye will be substantially the same something to the people of the under the new regulations, although Base in exchange for their support some employees will experience a of Navy Relief. Thus was born the slight decrease and others a slight Guantanamo Mardi gras which will increase in total income. be held here on February 17, 18 and 19th. The entire amount remains sub- Most of us here remember ject to income tax deductions. the Christmas Carnival which proved' so successful and which resulted in ATTENTION a wonderful time for everybody and provided profits to insure the The Golf Committee wishes to Chapel Chimes. Folks on the mid- call to the attention of all patrons way didn't mind spending a few of the Golf Course that the course cents having fun because they got is a Recreation activity, supported something in return. by Recreation money as advanced With this same idea in mind, the local Navy Relief people decided by the three money-making activi- Captain Henry Crommelin, USN to ties on the Base, i. e., the Naval give the Base three hectic days and Station, the Naval Air Station, and smiling, friendly gentleman from nights of fun and frolic - three 4 the Marine Barracks, and complete- the South. The Captain was born truly gay days of carnival with all ly manned by Recreation personnel. in Montgomery, Alabama on 11 the trimmings - parades, floats, August 1904 contests At no time has the Golf Course and it was in Mont- and games and many at- gomery that he finished high school. been self-supporting by virtue of tractions the likes of which have After spending one year at the never been seen the small membership or green fees here. The profits University of Alabama, will go to Navy which are charged. The property is the Captain Relief, thus elmi- leased by the United entered the Naval Academy and nating the need for any collection States Gov- fours ernment. From the years later graduated in 1925. campaign this year. foregoing it is The first year apparent that the Golf of commissioned Tickets will go on sale this next Club is pri- life in the Navy was spent aboard week marily for service personnel, which will entitle holders to and the U.S.S. Tennessee. The following an opportunity dependents are entitled to member- to win any one of is a chronological listing of Captain three BIG prizes, including ship as a privilege, rather than a a Philco right. Crommelin's duties. Radio-Phonograph Combination or 1926 to 1927 - Communications $100 in cash, a Cushman Scooter or Watch Officer on Staff of Com- $250 in cash, or a shining, brand President Truman has establish- mander Battle Force in U.S.S. new, 1949 Ford Sedan, which will ed a nine-man committee to boost . be raffled off respectively on the recreational facilities and maintain 1927 to 1931- engineer nights of February 17th, 18th and S high moral standards for Armed in U.S.S. Bruce and U.S.S. Schenck 19th. With only one ticket, any in- Forces personnel. The group is of Scouting Force (Atlantic Fleet). dividual is eligible to win any one headed by Frank L. Weil of New 1931 to 1933 - Scouting Force of the prizes, but cannot win more York, president of the National Camera Officer in U.S.S. Antares, than once on any ticket. There's Jewish Welfare Board. (Continued on Page Threat (Continued on Page Two) Page Two THE INDIAN Page Two THE INDIAN The stork made it a double-header on 10 January and left two baby St girls: Susan El- len McRae born CHURCH SERVICES SUNDAY Editorial Office, NOB Library - Phone 672 to HM1 and Mrs. Catholic Masses S. E. McRae, and 0700-Naval Base Chapel Saturday, 15 January 1949 Linda Gay Darby 0900-Naval Base Chapel horn to AL1 and 1745-Naval Base Chapel U. S. NAVAL OPERATING BASE S Mrs. Gordon Dar- Daily Mass Guantanamo Bay, Cuba TE S 0750-Naval Base Chapel Rear W. K. Phillips, USN by. Confessions before all Masses Commander LT Helen Jungerson, NC, has Protestant Services A. E. Smith------Editor returned to duty from thirty 0930-Sunday School at Schoolhouse days 1100-Naval Base Chapel Chaplain E. E. Bosserman--- Staff Advisor leave in New York. Welcome home! THE INDIAN is published weekly from 1900-Naval Base Chapel appropriated funds, on government equip- It's good to see your smiling face Protestant Choir rehearsal each Thursday ment, and complies with the provisions of again. at 1930 NAVEXOS P-35, Rev. Nov. 45. Chaplains at this Activity Mrs. P. D. Cronemiller and chil- LCDR E. E. Bosserman, USN THE INDIAN is a member of the Ship's dren, Editorial Association and republication of family of LT Cronemiller, MC, (Protestant) credited material prohibited without per- USN, arrived on the Base in the LCDR Carl A. Herold, USN mission from SEA. wee hours last Tuesday. We hope (Catholic) THE INDIAN uses Armed Forces Press you will enjoy your stay here. Service Material, which may not be re- printed without permission of AFPS. The Hospital basketball team All Photographs used by THE INDIAN continues in its winning ways; the are official U. S. Navy pictures credited to latest victims being the Naval Air the NAS Photo Lab. unless indicated Station by a score of 34 to 16 and otherwise. U.S.S. Halfbeak, 63-14. Dr. Moschella apparently doesn't have his wife very well trained as I JUST A THOUGHT yet. Before setting out on a trip CHAPiAIs'IS CORNIER Looking out into the romantic to Santiago last week on the crash- I sat in a little alcove in one atmosphere of the bay at night boat, the doctor told Mrs. Mos- of America's greatest department with the mountains in the distance chella she would be alright if she stores. After three minutes of un- and stars on high, one could say: would just watch him and do what tutored jiggling with knobs on a "The beauty of it all". he did. The trip over was pleasant panel, a picture - stirring and full If we took the time to open our and uneventful, but the return was of action-leaped upon a screen eyes at the gigantic vastness of something else again. The doctor before my eyes. My thrill knew no tropical splendor that surrounds us developed what proved to be a bounds. To me it was a thrill such each day here at Guantanamo Bay, more than mild case of mal de mar, as I have had few times in my life. our hearts would find much joy. but Mrs. Moschella instead of doing Yes, you guessed it! I was gazing what her husband did, stood back upon my first sight of television. and laughed at him for feeding the I have come back now to my HOSPITAL SERVICE fish. Great was the doctor's chagrin! little town nestled in the mountain - VOLUNTEERS fastnesses of western Pennsylva- nia. Here television is not yet a Wednesday, 5th of January, a GTMO. MARDI GRAS TO BE reality. All of our experimenting meeting of the Hospital Service FOR NAVY RELIEF cannot bring a picture upon the Volunteers was held in the N.O.B. surface of the television viewing Library. Mrs. Griffin and Mrs. (Continued from Page One) scope. Along with others, I long Powers were appointed chairladies nothing to stop anyone from buying for the day when here too, tele- of the group. Mrs. Stuck, treasurer; three tickets, for instance, and hav- vision becomes a reality. I still re- Mrs. Cozy, Mrs. Rothermel, maga- ing nine chances to win. It will be member the perfection of the image zines; and Mrs. Snyder, Bingo. agreed by all that the prizes are on the screen of the set in the city As in the past, Bingo will con- handsome, and certainly nobody can department store. S tinue to be played weekly. It was afford not to invest in such a golden And as I remember, I cannot help also planned to hold games of crib- opportunity. but think how television reminds bage, pinocle and possibly bridge All details are not yet worked me of religion. Only there is a for those who desire. out, but it is interesting to note difference. Religion is so much more There will be a Volunteer in the that tremenduous enthusiasm has perfect and so infinitely more satis- Hospital Recreation Room every already been displayed Base-wide. fying. For anywhere, where the afternoon, who will write letters, Competition is beginning to raise Word of God is heard, where man and assist in any way that they can. its head as several organizations attunes himself to the, eternal Any one wishing to offer sug- have indicated that they intend to there the image of God - perfect, gestions can do so by inserting their win the coveted first prize for the unwavering and inspiring-is found requests on the bulletin board in the best float. Although the details of indelibly engraved upon His heart. Recreation Room. the big Beauty Contest to pick the How great the glory and mercy of Queen of the Mardi gras, who will God, that we, His children, can MARCH OF DIMES reign over the Grand Costume Ball keep before us always, the image on February 19th, are still in the and vision of the eternal! It has been announced that the "talking stage," a number of the Chaplain E. E. Bosserman 1949 March of Dimes Campaign pulchritudinous young ladies are will take place from January 15th planning new bathing suits. The Army has approved new col- to January 30, 1949. To head this By next week, the various Com- lar insignia for Aides to the Secre- drive, Chaplain E. E. Bosserman, mittees will have met and drawn tary of Defense. The new insignia CHC, USN, has been appointed up their plans. The Indian will soon will consist of a %" medium blue chairman. The money that will be give a full account of the events to shield surmounted by a gold eagle collected is a voluntary contribu- take place during the three fun- with reversed wings, and three S tion for the National Foundation packed days of the Guantanamo crossed arrows flanked by two stars for Infantile Paralysis. Mardi gras. on each side. THE INDIAN Page Three THE IDIANPage Three ADMINISTRATION BLDG. CAPTAIN H. CROMMELIN "QUE PASA" IS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF

It has been "Many Moons" since (Continued from Page One) ye scribe has brought sad news, U.S.S. Argonne and U.S.S. Utah; but first let's have some good tid- spent six weeks ashore with Camera ings. It is understood unofficially Party at Fisherman's Point, Guan- that a small portion of the long- tanamo Bay, Cuba in Spring of awaited refrigerators for the Bargo 1932. Your correspondent had some- Point Housing Project have arrived 1933 to 1936-U. S. Naval Acade- thing astonishing happen last Tues- at Gtmo. Just how many did arrive my-Executive Department. day which was as welcome as a we have not been able to track 1936 to 1938-Division Officer- package from home. He picked up down as yet, but we now find our U.S.S. Pennsylvania. a phone dialed "5", and had a stock room of furniture in an em- 1938 to 1939-Executive Officer, cheerful, feminine voice promptly barrassing situation - "empty!" U.S.S. Preston. ask, "Number, please?" The loud That's it fellas, no furniture. How- 1939 to 1940-About six months, noise resounding in her ear was ever, if it will help the prospectives Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Com- caused by the dropping of my to wait a little more calmly, we can mander-in-Chief, U. S. Fleet. instrument in utter, delightful, state that furniture was ordered 1940 to Jan. 1942-Bureau of amazement. No criticism of the in September, along with the re- Naval Personnel-Planning Div. Marines, nor native civilian opera- frigerators, so just be patient a Jan. 42 to Dec. 42-Commanding tors is intended, but it was such a little while, it won't be long now! Officer, U.S.S. Fitch in Atlantic pleasant shock to get an immediate Well, "gold is where you find it" Fleet-took part in North African pleasant, female voice that we just or however the saying goes, any Invasion. couldn't help but award this week's way, we have been attentively Dec. 42 to Aug. 43-Commanding bouquet to the new lady operator, watching Carter, Sayn (future Officer, U.S.S. Guest, Atlantic and and to the Communications Depart- Snyn) these last few days for fu- Pacific waters. ment as a whole, for this tremend- ture developments on his gold mine. Aug. 43 to Aug. 44-Commander ous step ahead. Any one interested in prospecting Destroyer Division Fifty, Flagship, for gold or staking a claim can get U.S.S. Ringgold. Summer 1943 - With an ear to the ground and all the info from Carter. Raided Marcus, Wake and Tarawa. an eye to the future, your corres- Blair, YN3, is about as change- Took part in Tarawa landings No- pondent has picked up a few "in- able as this cold weather we have vember 1943. Silver Star, Occupa- side" facts about the forth-coming been having lately. First he wants tion of Kwajalien, January 1944, Mardi gras scheduled for 17-18-19 to be discharged, then he is ex- Hollandia, April 1944, , Aug- February. Everything indicates tending, then he decides to call it ust 1944 Bronze Star for Guam. that the Mardi gras will be stu- quits after all. Then on second Aug. 44 to Dec. 44-Commander, pendous, gigantic and colossal (to thought, he is reenlisting. He will Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Five use a Hollywood phrase). Frankly, probably change his mind a few -participated in landings at Leyte by fair means or foul, this observer more times before he finally ships Gulf, P. I., October 1944. is out to win that new Ford. This over for that shore duty, but we all Jan. 45 to Nov. 47-Bureau of is one individual who has ridden know he will make a good 30 year Naval Personnel-Director of Offi- the Navy buses so long, and been man. cer Distribution. pushed on and off so often, that Dec. 47 to Nov. 48-Chief of even the thoughts of winning that The Army will approve joint as- Staff to Commander , Ford brings on a condition com- signment of Service buddies while U. S, Atlantic Fleet. parable to the DTs. maintaining its policy against 22 November 1948-Assumed the "cliques." A recent statement in- duties as Chief of Staff, U. S. Naval Beneficial Suggestions Depart- dicates sanction "when two indi- Operating Base, Guantanamo Bay, ment: If a poll were taken to de- viduals with similar interests indi- Cuba. termine when most folks are in cate a strong desire to serve in the Captain Crommelin is one of five their quarters listening to their same area or installation." distinguished brothers. His older radios, it is believed the results brother, John, is a Captain in Naval would show: Noontime, from 1215 tell that the 1949 job with the Aviation. His youngest brother, to 1245. Since the Fred Waring Or- smile radiating from it is the one Quentin, is also a Naval officer in chestra and Glee Club presents a newly acquired by Weatherson. Aviation. Two of the brothers, variety show of unsurpassed qual- Charles and Richard, were lost in ity, it seems to this observer that Many thanks to the good people action during World War II. it would be a good idea to change who have had kind words for the Captain Crommelin, his charm- Fred Waring's Show from its pres- Crow's Nest . . . and thanks, too, ing wife, and four children are wel- ent schedule to a time when the for the contributions. Contributions comed as a grand addition to the greatest number of listeners could are welcome provided they are Base and we look forward to a enjoy it, i. e., from 1215 to 1245 short and to the general interest. most pleasant tour of duty with daily ? Recently there came a humorous them in the months ahead. story about a big Gtmo. barracuda It's a joke, son! Two ants were which, in the stillness of the night, Nairobi, Kenya Colony, East racing along the edge of a cracker can be heard laughing at a certain Africa (AFPS)Present theories of box when the younger of the two Training Group officer who went evolution may be shattered follow- breathlessly a s k e d the older, overboard in an attempt, but now ing the discovery of a 2,500-year- "What's the hurry?" The bigger knows better than, to try to gig old ape-like man skull on Rusinga ant, showing unusual intelligence, a barracuda. Island in Lake Victoria, by Pro- answered, "The sign says 'Tear fessor S. B. Leakey, leading British Along the' Dotted Line'." Oh, Unconfirmed reports from unre- historian. brrrrother! liable sources have it that MAJ The skull, while technically that Souder is planning to equip all of an ape, is said to bear a marked The biggest grin on .the Base Base policemen with large magni- resemblance to the skull of a hu- these days lightens the countenance fying glasses - not to imitate the man scientists believe developed at of LCDR Fred W. Weatherson. As great Sherlock Holmes, but the a much later period. The skull will we transportation-less individuals better to see the new USNOB pri- be flown to London for more de- "Watch The Fords Go By", we can vate vehicle license plates. tailed examination. Four THE INDIAN Gtmo. Bay-13 Jan 49-2500. PaePage FourTH DANtn.Ba-3Jn4-0. NEW SUPER DESTROYERS -. NAMED FOR WW II VETS ~ rz'~- ~ _ *~'0 (SEA)-The names of four U. S. Navy , now deceased, who By Allen Collier, Sports Editor high-geared offensive combine with won fame in their respective World Basketball season is upon us at a 50-26 win over the NOB High War II commands, will be perpetu- last and the first league games of School team. A week later they ated in four super-destroyers under the 1949 season will get underway added Marine Site to it as they construction at ship- Monday night at the Fleet Recrea- managed to stave off a desperate building yards. tion courts. This announcement Leatherneck rally and win 36-30. The vessels will be christened in was made early this week by Rec- Minus George Call, one of their honor of Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, reation officials. leading men on offense, they took wartime commander of the famous Eight teams will comprise this Fleet Training into camp by a 35- Task Force 58; Vice Admiral John year's league. Those teams who en- 30 sccre, one point less than the S. McCain, one-time commander of tered are: Naval Hospital, Naval Marine game and their closest Task Force 38; Vice Admiral Willis Air Station, Fleet Training Group, game to date. After the New Year A. Lee, former Commander of Bat- VU-10, Marines, NOB High School, began, they met the Naval Air tleships, Pacific Fleet; and Vice Naval Station and Naval Supply Station cagers, of Lt. A. N. Boyles, Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson, Depot. Of these, the Naval Supply and swamped them 65-33. Follow- Medal of Honor winner and former Depot was the last entry and are ing the NAS contest, they trounced commander of the Third Amphibi- as yet, untested. They opened ex- the USS Halfbeak, 65-14. ous Force. hibitions with a 26-14 win over The Hospital quintet has the The new destroyers, to be larger NOB High School Tuesday night on jump on most other teams so to than their wartime predecessors the Fleet Recreation court, before speak, due to the fact that their and essentially designed as anti- the largest number of fans who had team doesn't have to operate around vessels, will have the witnessed any exhibition tilt prior a single man. They are all very speed, endurance and sea-keeping to that one. good shots, and indeed while in qualities which will permit them to Also on Tuesday night, Ens. pre-game practice before the Half- serve with high-speed task forces. O'Berg's VU-10 quintet took a beak tilt, looked like a miniature U Building at Quincy, Mass., are quick lead over Lt. E. D. Reinhold's Kentucky team. Leading the team the destroyers DD 927 and "DD 928 Fleet Training Group and held off will no doubt be, Donald Zimmer- which will be named Mitscher and a last half rally to win by 40-33. man, Jack Gehring, Stan Sikorski John S. McCain, respectively. For the winners, John Vienna, was and Call. The latter may be side- Under construction at Bath, Me., fire- hotter than a Fourth of July lined for much of the league play are the DD 929 and DD 930, to cords for be cracker as he ripped the with a knee injury. In addition to christened Willis A. Lee and Wil- 30 points to pave the way for his these offensive speedsters, Eugene kinson, in that order. team's success. Vienna dropped all Rearden and Earle Barnette con- his counters in from the field and tribute much to the floor game and scored ten of his fifteen field goals give substantial aid in the scoring NEW TYPE in the first half, hitting the basket column. Both play center and both LAUNCHED RECENTLY from the corners or long arching stretch well over the six-foot mark. set shots. Tuesday's game was the Starting time for league games Washington (AFPS)-The heavy first for the Air Squadron quintet. was unknown at this writing, how- cruiser USS Des Moines, the first On Monday night, the silver clad ever, it is expected to be about vessel to mount completely auto- Hospital quintet walked over the 7:00 p.m. matic, rapid-fire 8-inch guns has team representing the Submarine The intra-division softball league been launched and will be assigned Halfback, 64-14. It was the largest of the Naval Station opens Monday shortly to fleet duty following a margin of victory posted by the night on the Fleet Recreation Dia- "shakedown" cruise. Hospital five in any of their ex- monds and will run for approxi- The fire control on the Des hibitions. The Halfbeak tied the mately five weeks with games on Moines, first of a new class of score 2-2 in the first minute and Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 17,000-ton heavy , is de- ten seconds of play but that was as There are six teams in the league scribed by Navy spokesmen as be- close as they got as the Hospital made up as follows: Giants, com- ing entirely automatic from am- " led the remainder of the game and posed of First and Second Division munition handling rooms to gun won going away. Second and third and Fleet Camera Party; Dodgers, muzzles. stringers for the Hospital played a made up of the Fourth and Sixth large part of the game. Divisions; Yankees, comprised of 'PHILSCOUTS' DISBANDED Out at Marine Site Two, Thurs- the Fifth Division. The Ninth Divi- day night, the Marine cagers won a sion makes up the Braves and the Manila (AFPS) - The United decisive victory over the Naval Sta- Indians are composed of the Sev- States embassy here has officially tion by a score of 40-25. Just what enth, Tenth and Eleventh Divisions confirmed a recent announcement this aight prove is a little uncer- and the Fleet Boat Pool. that the Philippine Scouts, part tain, other than the fact that Cap- The Cardinals are made up from of the Army since 1901, will be tain Frank Sullivan has worked District Craft, AFDL-47 and gradually disbanded in the next 11 with his boys until they are ready AFDL-1. months. for anyone including the Hospital. There will be a double header Mr. Thomas H. Lockett, United Ed Franz led the Marine scorers. each night, the first game starting States Charge d' Affaires, said Leading scorer for teams par- at 6:15 and the second at 8:30. the decision had been made with ticipating in the league is the Hos- Monday's initial clashes will be great regret since the United pital five. They have played more between the Giants and the Yankees States was proud of the long and games than most of the others, at 6:15 and the Dodgers and the distinguished record of the Scouts. having taken part in five pre-league Cardinals immediately following. However, he added, since the Philip- tilts and have amassed a total of pines were now independent the 250 points for an average of 50 Army enlisted men formerly in- "the has felt for points per game. On the other hand eligible for NCO club membership some time that the Scouts should their opponents have only averaged because of grade revisions, may re- be disbanded." little better than 26 points per tain membership in any post clubs It is expected that the majority game. in which they were in good stand- of the Scouts will be absorbed into S Ellestad's charges started their ing as of August 1. the Philippine defense forces.