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V Pa** Four THE PALISADES December ‘ Si, IMS *TF ★ Camp Personalities ★ MAJOR FRANK E. GEARHART ^\y PVT. LENNY KENT X On the nigfht of October 2, 1918 j “ An MC's chores are to alibi the the Encircled Lost BaUq-Uon fight- last act and exaggerate the next. ” ■ ing its way through the bloody for- This is the description of his ests of the Argonne, found an es erstwhile occupation quoted by Pvt. cape route being blasted for it by ! Lenny Kent, former laugh-provoker terrific artillery barrages. J of radio- and outstanding night That the Bqttalion finally re- ; spots in New York, who is now gained contact with the Allied j assighed to the Special Service forces was a tribute to the tradi- j scctlpnat Caqip -Shanlts. ----------- — tionally accurate American artil-j Lenny's statement is, however, a lery fire and the men who guided , [) are skeleton outline of an MC's this fire from advanced and often . ^ ^ good master of cerc- isolated observation posts. One of . monies has to be, among other those men was Sergeant now Ma- : a comedian, an excellent ad Major — Frank E. Gearhart. I Major Gearhart, now chief of the I libber, and must have the proverbial Billeting^ and Custodial Section at l 1 I - ■ Major Frank E. Gearhart Campf Shanks, had enlisted with the First Pennsylvania Cavalry in April, 1916.' After American en trance-into the war, this outfit was incorporated Into the 108th Field Artillery, which went overseas in May, 1918, as part of the 28th Division. During the year, he was overseas. Major Gearhart participated in five major engagements — the Oise-Aine, Veele River, Argonne Forest, and Yps-Lille offensives, and the Lor raine defensive sector. Uncover German Agents During his year in France and Belgium, Major Gearhart had the “ average soldier's experiences.' 1 One of theae experiences took place when his battery'was stationed in the Courvilie sector and taking a merciless pounding. The Germans were piling shells into the battery positions with such ‘ rapid -and devastating precision that the Yanks began to think they were > the guinea pigs for a new and un i. ‘ cannily-accUrate range finder. Suddenly one of the men noticed lights blinking from — a chu i cl. steeple which had mysteriously re mained undamaged amidst the rub ble of the ruined village. Some doughboys went up to investigate and in a few momenta came down with a gray-haired, old couple, The lights stopped blinking and the Get man guns soon: loat the range. - Major Gearhart was born Nov. 15, 1892, in Riverdale, Fa., where he attended grsj^nmar and high school. Riverdale is still his home. After demobilization in 1919, the 28th Division was reorganized and he was commissioned a second lieu tenant, attached to the 107th Field Artillery, 1st Bn,, Hq. One year later, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy. In 1930, he was pro moted to Captqin and given com mand of the Headquarters Bat talion. Recalled In 1941 On Feb. 17, 1911, the Major was recalled to active duty and pro moted to his present rank within a few weeks, his station being at Indiantown Gap. After maneuvers In the Carolinas the 107th returned to the “ Gap'' In Dec., 1943. Major Gearhart was then 'transferred to the station complement and ap pointed CO of the replacement pool at the Gap in which capacity he served until his appointment on Feb. 11. 1943, as Billeting Officer at Camp Shanks. Soon after his arrival here, Major Gearhart discovered that by coin cidence he had been re-united with two other officers who htfd served with the 37th Division, in Belgium, Col. Leon E. Savage and Col. Ed ward Hubbs of,the ASF and AGF Command Groups;, respectively. They never had met previously. OUR ARMY BEST OFF After a 40,000-mile tour of the world's battlefronts, the Rev. Dr. William B. Pugh said American soldiers are . better fed, better housed and receiving better medi cal attention than any Army in history, Dr. Pugh is chairman of the General Commission on Army and Navy Chaplain^. FDR MESSAGE j ON NEW YEAR Special services have been ar ranged by'Lt. Col. (Chapl ’ qirvl John H: Landry, Post Chaplain, for to morrow, New Year ’ s Day. which has been designated a national day of prayer by proclamation of'Presi- dent Roosevelt. The list of services may be found in the Driily Bulletin. The President's proclamation read : 'At the end of the year 1943, which has not only made manifest the devotion and courage of our nation ’ s sons but has also crowned their efforts with brilliant. Success on every battlefront, it is fitting “ gift of blarney.'' Lenny has afl of that we set asid^ a day of prayer these attributes and many more. j to give thanks to almighty God for ‘ I ’ ve been in show business all ! his constant providence over n s in my life,\ said. Lenny. And that is ; every hour of national peace and no exaggeration. At 13 he started ■ national peril. out to be a dancer. But dancing j -At the beginning of the new wasn ’ t among his many talents, j y^ar 1944, which now lies before us Laughing at himself, Lenny said that “I found out I .could make more money by not dancing. ” Rose From Bottom Following his dancing debut, Lenny had many of the ups-and- downs Characteristic to all fledg ling actors. But equally character istic of actors who have show business in their blood, he didn ’t give up. From minor vaudeville roles in New York's many night clubs and theaters, Lenny climbed to higher pinnacles of success on the stage and radio. He even managed to find time to compose, and have published, some song hits which re ceived great popularity. His most popular hit was “ Hpld Tight, ” the hep-cats delight a .few years ago. Lenny's more recent radio perform ances included appearances on popular guessing programs such as \Double or Nothing\ and \Take a Card. ” His parts on the program were comedy routines about Army life. “ Little did I know,\ smiled Len ny, \that I ’ d be in the Army in a few months myself and experienc ing some of the things I portrayed. ” Played at Paramount Lenny had MC ’ d-with the bands of Mai Hallett, Fletcher Henderson and Bob Chester before getting his it is fitting that we pray to be preserved from false pride of ac complishment and from wilful neglect of the last measure of public and private sacrifice neces sary. to attain final victory and peace. 2 ___ . \May we humbly .nseek strength and guidance for the problems of widening warfare and for the re sponsibilities of increasing victory. May we find in the infinite, mercy of the God of our fathers some measure of • comforf for .the per sonal anxieties of separation and anguish of bereavement. “ Now, therefore, I, Frafiklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do hereby ap point Saturday, the first day of Jan uary, 1914, as a day of prayer for all of us, in our churches, in our homes and .in our hearts, those of us who walk in the familiar paths of home, those who fight oh the wide battlefields of the world, those who gp down to the sea in ships and those who rise in the air on wings. ” First Anniversary Of Camp Tuesday (Continued from Potje One) against German and Japanese bar barism. TAKE YOUR PICK of the books, soldier. Miss MHdred Kay, assist ant librarian, left, and Miss Dorothy Crelfelds, librarian, right, show you just a sample of the 5,000 new, up-to-date, volumes of fiction and non-fiction on display in the South. !lbrar\ on Ave, A. -mar Tlietifre ’ No .2 You can take your choice of 4,000 more books In the West Library on Orangeburg Rd. U. S. Army Signal Obn*, Photo Wide Range of Facilities On Post Suits All Tastes (Continued from Cage One) Krem is in charge of the entire athletic pregj-am. Also scheduled for construction is stocked with* 4.000 additional n n >Phltt»eatre will be used in the volumes i summer months for concerts by , , ■ ' ' ! Camp Shanks ’ two regular bands, Biggest meeting-place of the en- gymphony orchestra and' its listed man in any Army' canip ia 3tr , nff quar t ettc M wen ^ US 0 the PX. Altogether, there are a s | low . g total of 30 PX establishments in, ' w Sendee Club camp. This includes such special -1 w .4( Ized PX's as the enlisted man's! Perhaps one of the best spots in clothing PX, a veritable departmen* camp for soldier enjoyment is th« store; the Officer's PX, a lunch- 1 recently-opened Service Club in the icountet ,PX just opposite Post Wac area. TastcfuUy-fumiahed and The achievements they have ac- Headquarters, a special newspaper I e ‘ 3 ui l > r> ed with a dance floor,, game complished thus far are attested to . anc j. magazine PX. and Seven ‘ ofthe': room, and snack bar, enlisted men ^ by the number of commendations j latebt and most popular PX innova- ! an<1 women can-dance to the mu-° for efficiency and results the post ’ u on f or the enlisted man who is sic of an electric record-player un- restricted to camp- — the beer-hall. The three Army hostess^run cafe- tei las in camp, the East cafetei ia, has received from high quarters And the perfection of Camp Shanks' organizational setup has prompted other Army Installations to patternW* West, cafeteria, and the recent- many of then- units along hne/.-.j 0 d South cafelel . ia; . S;!r ve lh > similar to ours. 1 - - - - - .... During the past year, the resi dents-of Rockland County, Bergen County and Westchester County have consistently demonstrated a spirit of warmth toward the camp and its personnel which has been encouraging and heart-warming to | j Col. Eastham and the camp ’ s per sonnel. Nearby Communities Friendly til 11:30 p. m. each evening. - No list of things to do after a hard day ’ s work for enlisted met; at Camp Shanks would be com plete without mention Of the four , i, .. . . , beautiful USO clubs just outside of soldier s favorite dish, bacon and Located in Tappan. Nyack, eggs, in sty e. The menus, of RiVor aIvi OranXbu, g! the course, aren t limited' .to bacon and ! clubs ar „ run by generous heart M eggs.. Attached , to each nefe ottT Dances. attended- by 1^ a soda room, where me cream, nU « eroua or h0 g tegses llx>m chocolate malteds, and other favor- n(Sarby towns are he]d on nights in each club every we;'k. Pvt. Lenny Kent b^g money break, last year, at the Chicago Latin Quarter Cafe with the Queen of Swing,'Miss Frances Faye. After his performances in Chicago. Lenny spent 15 weeks at the La Conga, one of New York ’ s well-known night spots. And just before his induction In the Army Mast November he was MCing with Woody Herman ’ s orchestra at the Paramount in New York. Included in his varied career was a short-lived stage production en titled “ Hairpin Harmony. ” “ After the first two minutes of the play,\ Lenny recalled, “ the scenery want ed to walk away with the audi ence! It last a hot two days be fore foldin'g and was the one and only actual flop In my career. ” Inducted Nov. 12 at Fort Dlx, he came to Camp Shanks early this month and was immediately as»- signed to Special Service. His bubbling wit and laughable antics have already became an Integral part of the programs conducted by Special Service. Very happy in his work here Lenny feels that he is doing the one-thing in the Army of which he is most capable. NEW-TYPE AMMUNITION A new-type lightweight ammuni tion, easily carried in a soldier's pocket, has been designed for pre liminary guerrilla fighting by para troops, commandos and landing parties who depend only on the the ammunition they carry. Deadly ite fountain concoctions can be had Art Studio Here Three nights weekly, artistiealty- inolined soldiers can paint and -. Eyen before the .post was opened, sketoh to- their heart's Uke^ thelT'reTwcation prominent citizens of Rockland County tendered a- welcome dinner to Col. Eastham and his staff. This friendly co-operation toward of ficers and . enlisted men was de veloped extensively as the months rolled by. with the populate forfn- the art studio on Oak St. Capable G. I. ' artist-instructors are only too glad to help the neophyte develop his talent. While the embryo Picas sos and Rembrandts are dabbing Other important facilities on Pi at include the two Army chapels, the cantonment type chapel^ in each b i'iB.ad.f. area, 44 ..daymoim foe.... with paiitt, it is just as likely that j p aj>erj goldier. close to their barracks and the bank opposite- Post headquarters. And, laid but certainly not least, you have The Palisades. You wouldn ’ t have read this far if you didn ’ t like your favorite camp news- slugfests held frequently in the , \^lta1 Role Of ASP Main Gymnasium. During the warm ! ing USOs, arranging dances and 1,500 boxing fans will be yelling parties, and making the soldiers themselves hoarse at the popular feel welcome in a myriad of other ways. Glancing back in: retrospect, an other noteworthy point is that the capable general staff assisting Col. Eastham whep the post opened la Still here, discharging its duties as effectively as ever. Chief aide to Coll Eastham is the Executive Of ficer, Col. Lee S. Dillon. Col. Eqstham ’ s general 'staff is composed of Lt; Col. Allan G. Spitz, Chief of the Personnel Section; Lt. months, weekly bouts are staged at the outdoor arena on Ave. B and 705th St. Bleacher seats in the arena hold 3,000. f There ire 14 athletic fields In camp either completed or it> the process of construction. The big geat one, to be ready by Spring will contain a baseball diamond fields house, tennis courts, softbal ’ diamoqds, handball, volleyball, and Hailed in Congress . ’ ---------- . . - ' ;• (Continued from Cage One)' r : ----- .... . pendent on this Vast, world-circling organization. “ This .is a war of battle lines, .as sembly lines, and supply lines, and the supply lines are the longest In history. Wherever onr soldleni and Plans and Training Section; Lt. fipld M t hev did on the beautiful victory ' Col. Harry L. Calvin, Chief of the Area 5 diamond last season. Lt Task ,,T Lo * ,f * UcH Supply Section; and Lt Col. Gee FEW CHEAT O.D.B. ‘ ‘ .Thelcs is an hu.tubl:' rale. Thou* is the tabor and the drudgery. Theirs is the task of getting the right number of the right men with Few people try to „ gyp Uncle Sam on soldier's allotments!, ac-1 the right amount of the 1 ight equip cording to the results of invests me ^ t to tho r, S ht Placco at the gallons made by the Office of Do- T 1< V c ‘ ‘ The field commander: who makes pendency Benents of more than . . , > , # 90 000 cases of susneeted fraud In an error of and feels the 90,000 caste. Of suspected fraud, m turning against him may al most cases, soldiers relatives claim- 1 M. Allen; Chief of the Ojreratioho Section. Lt. Col. Harry P R. Han- Oen la Post Adjutant. Other ranking Officials are Col. Albert J. Wick. Post Quartermaster; Col. John F. Corby. Post Surgeon- Col. Leon E. Savage, C. O. of the ASF Command Group: Col. Edward Hubbs, C. O. of the AGe* CommastJ Group; and Major Vincent P ; ' ^o',.'tTJ,^a '^ iV™ '^kI't i tack again and attain his victory Hewitt, C. O. of the AAF Com- ! *\* ' If the' Army Service Forces make mand Group. ^ hey ^ us , t , b dc P endent u P on ® an error of judgment that results Many special staff officers have ^ ’ h f°- P ** substantial pornon of in tQO uttle or t(X> defeat u been on duty here since last Jan- , theiP i ^ ome The only , action tak- in e vl t a ble. nuary 4, but space does not permit ! f, n in thes ! ca8 ? s was the ^ con ' full listing of their names. tlnuance of allotments. EVIDENCE STOLfeN Danville, Va. (CNS) — Police here “ So, I say, let us give to these soldiers of supply and to their To date, approximately 1,000 great, hard-working command-Ir, cases of suspected fraud have ■ the credit that is their due. With- showed sufficient evidence to war -1 out detracting in the slightest from at 300 yards. It is used in the new are looking for a thief who walked | rant court action. Of these, less ! tlte.. splendid achievements of our .30 calibre carbine and a half-dozen right out of detective headquarters than 250 have resulted in prose-j air forces and ground forces, let us clips of 15 cartridges fit in a sol- j with 1135.65 which was being held dier's pocket. las evidence. cutlon. according to Brigadier Gen-j see to it that the service forces re- eral H. N. Gilbert, O.D.B. director . ' ceive their share of homage, too. ” i s si a s i<i i r --------
