1 VWERE' 29.95/ HJiBJiNO'S 1 imported Now with Thinsulate THERMAL INSULATIION WARMER THAN EVER BEFORE! We added Thinsulate™ thermal insulation throughout the whole foot to maximize warmth for your winter protection and comfort. Try this and all these other features on for size: • Water-repellent, flexible, man-made uppers wipe clean — never need polishing. • Decorative strap with gold-tone buckle around top adds a nice fashion touch. • Warm, acrylic fleece lining, top to toe. • Thick, foam-padded cushioned insoles. • No-slip, MEDIUM bouncy traction grip sole. • Full side zipper for easy WIDE SIZES! on, easy off. All this, and a terrific price to boot! 1 Now you don't have to sacrifice warmth for style! These boots 2 for 49.50 »° 24"* Winter Boot 3 for 74.00 have it all - warm fleecy lining and handsome good looks Haband One Hundred Fairview Ave., Prospect Park, NJ 07530 with fancy stitched detail, to wear with everything from suits D and EEE* Widths 7BY-48P What D or How to jeans! Here's your chance to stock up! Use the easy order Size? EEE? Many? (*add $2 per pair for EEE): C TAUPE form and send today! 7 7% 8 872 9 9/2 10 D BROWN 10/2 11 12 13 E BLACK Send me pairs of boots. I enclose $ purchase price, plus $3.50 toward postage and insurance. Check enclosed Discover Card Visa MasterCard Card #____ Exp.: __/__ Mr. Mrs. Ms. Mail Address Apt. # 100 Fairvicw Avenue City Thinsulate is a & State Zip 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or Full Refund of Purchase Price at Any Time! Prospect Park, NJ 07530 trademark of 3M. I _ The Magazine for a Strong America Vol. 137, No. 6 December 1994 A R T I C L 'WHO WILL REMEMBER IT AFTER WE ARE GONE?' USS Utah survivorsfi^ht for recognition and access to the ship and her memorial. By Ray Mahon 16 HEALTH REFORM MUST STRENGTHEN VA National Commander Detweiler tells Congress to protect VA 's role as the health-care providerfor veterans. 26 A MOST MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS For afew moments 50 years ago, enemies shared the spirit ofthe season. By Gene DuVall 24 WHO IS AMERICA? what we believe about ourfamilies, our income, even our complexion, may no longer be true. 7& THE WAR YEARS: 1 944 A DETERMINED AMERICA Americans anxiously hopedfor the beginning ofthe end. By Norman Goldstein 28 WHY IKE WAS LIKED Eisenhower 's experience made him the perfect choice to lead the Allies on D-Day. 30 THE BEGINNING OF THE END "The Longest Day " turned the tide against the Germans. 31 THE RED BALL EXPRESS More than 6. 000 drivers and trucks kept the Allied attack supplied. 33 I HAVE RETURNED Gen. Douglas MacArthurfulfills his promise to the Philippines. 34 PHILIPPINE SCOUTS: LOYAL AND COURAGEOUS These brave I '.S. allies endured hardships and horrors to defend their homeland. 35 NUTS! " The Allies could taste victor)' in Europe, but then there was "The Bulge. 36 THE FIGHTING SEABEES whenever and wherever airfields or bases were needed, these builder-fighters said "Can Do. 38 D E P A T M E N T S BIG ISSUES Should America sell arms to Pakistan to curb its nuclear intentions? 12 VETVOICE VETERANS UPDATE 40 PARTING SHOTS 64 COMMANDER'S MESSAGE 10 LEGION NEWS 42 WASHINGTON WATCH 14 VETS 46 COVER Despite two years ofwar. most Americans thought it would take another year or two before the troops would return. See page 28. "Homefor Christmas " illustration by Mark Riedy/Scott Hull Assoc. The American Legion Magazine, a leader among notional general-interest publications, is published monthly by The American Legion for its 3.1 million members. These militaiy-service veterans, working through nearly 1 5,000 community-level Posts, dedicate themselves to God and country and traditional American values; strong notional security: adequate and compassionate core for veterans, their wid- ows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation's youths. DECEt^BER 1994 1 ^ Preserve And Protect Old Glory! • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed • Solid Wood, Superior Finish • Made in the USA FOR GOD AND COUNTRY • Wall Mount Or 700 N. Pennsylvania St. Free Standing P.O. Box 1055 • Indianapolis, IN 46206 Holds a Flag Up 317-630-1200 1/2' To 5' X 9 National Commander William M. Detweiler PLUS $6.00 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Shipping & Daniel S. Wheeler Handling Editor John Greenwald Managing Editor Miles Z. Epstein Associate Editor Raymond H. IVIahon Assistant Editors T. Douglas Donaldson ORDER TODAY! Call 1-800-648-7989! Ken Scharnberg For Same Day Shipping! Art Director Simon Smith Method Of UM/C a Money Order Send $39.95 + $6.00 for shipping and handling! Art and Production Assistants Payment: VISA UPersonal Check Caron IVI. Morales, Cindy G. Johnson Name Production Manager Card Number Exp.Date [ I I I Joseph Campioni Address I Administration L. Berzins, Patricia Signature City Joan Marsehand (Required) Advertising Director State _Zip_ Donald B. Thomson Phone Advertising Assistants Diane Andretti, Natosha A. Lukashik (Please Print or type.) The American Legion Magazine ELK PRODUCTS, INC • P.O. Box 7068 Box 2268 Hickory, NC 28603 Indianapolis, IN 46207 317-630-1200 Publisher's Representatives Fox Associates, Inc. President John F. Kennedy on August 1 , 1 963 said: Any man Chicago: 312-644-3888 New York: 212-725-2106 who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life Los Angeles: 310-841-0280 Detroit, Ml: 810-543-0068 worthwhile...can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, Atlanta: 404-252-0968 San Francisco: 41 5-989-5804 "i IN THE The American Legion Magazine Commission SERVED Forrester, Greenville, Russell Milford A. Chairman, SC; H. Laird, Vice Chairman, Des Moines, lA; James R. Kelley, National Commander's Representative, Wayne, UNITED STATES NAVY'' PA; George F. Ballard, Belleville, IL; Samuel Barney, Lancaster, OH; J. Leslie Brown Jr., Louisville, KY; The Official U.S. Navy Memorial Sailor® Mug. Joseph Chase, Hatboro, PA; Donald Conn, South Bend, IN; James W. Conway, Charlestown, MA; James H. Hall, Just released! The back is inscribed with famous Navy Hopewell, NJ; Hoy M. Haught, Huntsville, AR; Halbert G. quotes by General George Washington, Captain James Horton, Topeka, KS; W.B. (Brad) Jorgens, Beardsly, MN; Eugene J. Kelley, Savannah, GA; James V. Kissner, Lawrence, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Palatine, IL; J. Fred Mitchell, Brewton, AL; J.H. Morris, Baton Rouge, LA; Everett G. Shepard, III, Woodstock, President John F. Kennedy Only $1 0. each. CT; George G. Sinopoli, Fresno, CA; Robert E. Vass Sr., A portion of the proceeds will be paid to Huntington, WV; Paul T. Woodard, Lacey, WA; Tom C. Smith, Oklahoma City, OK; John W.J. Richter, Consul- the Navy Memorial - Home of the Lone tant, Brenham, TX; Neal L. Thomas Jr., Consultant, Colorado Springs, CO. Sailor in Washington, D.C. Made of heavy- Copyright 1994 by The American Legion duty vitreous chma-wiU last a lifetime. Credit The American Legion (ISSN 0886-1234) is published card orders call: 508 392-0751. Fax orders: monthly by The American Legion, 5561 W. 74th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Second-class postage paid at 508 392-0758 Add $4.00 for shippine & handling. Indianapolis, IN 46204 and additional mailing offices. post- (MA residents add 5% sales tax) Or fill out this form Price: Annual subscription, $12 ($18, Foreign); sponsored gift subscriptions, $6; Single copy, $2. POST- and mail it to us. Makes a great gift ! Order now! MASTER; Send address changes to The American Legion, Input Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. AUow 4-6 weeks for delivery Name Change of Address: Notify The American Legion, Input Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. 317-328- Address 4640. Attach old address label, provide old and new addresses and current membership card number. City_ _State Zip_ To request microfilm copies, please write to: University Microfilms, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 Enclosed.: Qeck M.O. j^l W§\ Exp.Date_ Canada Post International Publications Mall (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 546321. Re-entered Qrd#rTTTiaDmrrnnDC[: I Send FREE 48 page color catalog D second class mail matter at Manila Central Post office dated December 22, 1991. Signature Number of mugs: I I Printed In USA Military Art China Co., Inc. P. 0. Box 406 Westford, MA 01886-0406 Member Adult Bureau of Circulations 2 THE AMERICAN LEGION . Meet Clem Birch. A real person, not a paid testimo- niaL You could say he owes his life to NordidVack. Clem found it's simply the best way to build a strong, healthy heart: "After 7ny second heart attack, my doctor told me to get a NordifflYack. He said don't worry about treadmills, rowing nuichines or that other stuff. He uses a NoidicTrack three times a week, and he told me it was the most efficient wayfor me to exercise. He was right!" Over 11,000 doctors use NordicTrack, so you know it will work for you. Clem's doctor is not alone. Thousands of doctors use the original NordidlVack* ski exerciser And many recommend it to their patients. That's because Nordicffrack offers the best simulation of cross- country skiing, the most effective cardiovascular exercise according to fitness experts. Plus, it's the only one with the patented flywheel and one-way clutch system for the smoothest, low-impact ski motion. So it's easy on your body. And ei\joyable to use, day after day. It's SO effective, you can build a strong heart in just 12 weeks! In recent studies, people achieved amazing cardiovascular results after just 12 weeks* on a Nordid&ack! You can too: •Boost your cardiovascular fitness by over 19%! •Lower your total cholesterol by up to 18%! •Reduce your blood pressure by 12%! As you can see, there's no better way to build a healthy heart than NordidlVack.