* ARMED FORCES DAY 1964 *
FORT DEVENS DISPATCH
Vol. 16, NO. 17 PRICE TEN CENTS ARMED FORCES DAY ISSUE TUESDAY MAY 5, 1964
CG's Welcome
HEADQUARTERS FORT DEVENS
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
FORT DEVENS. MASSACHUSETTS01433
On behalf of the military and civilian community of Fort Devens, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the fifteenth Armed Forces Day observance.
As proclaimed by the President in 1950, this day symbolizes the unification of the Armed Forces and demonstrates their effectiveness in national defense. The theme "Power for Peace" defines the efforts of the military to remain strong to serve as an instrument to keep the peace. Only If deterrence fails will its great power be unleashed.
I sincerely hope that this Armed Forces Day will be informative, interesting, and enjoyable and that It will help you to understand the Army's contribution to the maintenance of peace.
B. F. EVANS, Jr.
Major General, US
CommandingRogers Field AFD Site
Thousands of our civilian neighbors from Central New England will join with military dependents and off-duty Army personnel as guests of Fort Devens during Armed Forces Day, Saturday 9 May, starting at 10 a.m.
A carnival atmosphere complete with gay banners, Army tents, equipment displays, and interesting exhibits will prevail over the huge Rogers Field midway as the post goes all out to "tell the Army story."
Major Bill Shaw, Fort Devens Armed Forces Day Project Officer has announced a complete schedule of events that features guided bus tours, concerts, combat demonstrations, drill competition, and lots of music.
Tours
The tours and "open house" visits to Company A, USASATC&S, the WAC detachment, the United States Army Hospital, and the Red Cross, are designed to give the visitor a closer "look-see" at how the soldier works, lives, and plays.
Highlighting the day's activities will be a combined demonstration by XIII United States Army Corps Reserve and ROTC units, including a special demonstration in counter-guerilla warfare tactics by seventy ROTC cadets from Northeastern University.
In addition to a foreign weapons and survival equipment display (with parachute and SCUBA gear), a mock jungle campsite will be manned by the cadets and reservists to show how soldiers live and operate under combat conditions. Visitors will be entertained by watching trained jungle warfare personnel dine on roast snake, selected from a "living pantry."
Another feature attraction will be a rappelling demonstration, where teams of men will scale steep obstacles, climbing and descending a 40 foot wall specially erected for the purpose.
Drills
Other attractions will include drill competition by high school drill teams from Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and a spectacular performance by trained sentry dogs from Pease Air Force Base. Four "fly-overs" US Air Force planes are scheduled for the afternoon.
Two band concerts by Deven's 18th Army band are scheduled, and the band will also participate in the colorful retreat parade to be held at 4:05 p.m.
Though a number of post units are absent due to training commitments, an extra-effort by the remaining units will provide the visitors with a wide variety of displays including weapons, radio communications, hospital equipment, educational operations, heavy equipment, and many other activities too numerous to list.
The continuous showing o training films at Theater #1 will give the guest a chance to rest his feet and view motion shots of the Army Training Program.
A mobile canteen will be situated on the Midway for the thirsty and hungry guest, and the facilities of the Main Exchange Snack Bar will be available.
This is just a small part of the spectacular show set for Saturday, May 9. Make a date to visit Fort Devens . . . . come early and stay late.
Fort Devens Dispatch Tuesday, May 5, 1964 Page 3
FORT DEVENS 1657 - 1964
KEY TO POWER A SHORT HISTORY
For more than three centuries the rolling, wooded hills around Fort Devens have known the tread of military boots.
As early as 1657, the countryside resounded to the martial tread of British "Regulars" and moccasin-shod militia defending the tiny "Nashoba Colony" from the forays of marauding Indians.
Major Simon Willard, a colonizer for the British Crown was ordered to this area in 1656 for the purpose of establishing a colony. This he did, settling some forty householders, and acting in the capacity of governor.
His "Manchion House" was located at the present site of Fort Devens Main gate, where a marker has been erected. In addition to being his residence, the house served as the barracks for "Willard's Dragoons", soldiers of Britain and the first organized military force west of Boston.
Following a raid by Indians during King Phillip's War(1675-77), the house was destroyed along with most of the colony. Eventually, other colonists resettled the area and the town of Groton, which was established under the original grant in 1655, grew and flourished. This town included what is now Ayer, Groton, parts of Harvard and Westford, and the New Hampshire towns of Hollis and Nashua.
A small military encampment existed for a short time during the Civil War near the present site of Fort Devens, but the site is poorly established and unmarked.
In 1917, Congress approved plans for the construction of a huge cantonment (1000 acres)near Ayer, Massachusetts. A short time after construction began, the War Department announced that the new camp would be named Camp Devens in honor of a distinguished son of Massachusetts, a Major General in the Civil War, Attorney General in President Rutherford B. Hayes' cabinet, a distinguished member of the Massachusetts bar, and a justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court --Charles Devens.
This camp was destined to become the largest military installation in New England, a distinction it still holds. At its World War I peak the camp had 1,448 buildings and could accommodate up to 43,000 military personnel.
Following World War I the camp was reduced to a caretaker basis, a situation that held until the intensive efforts of Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers of Lowell, Massachusetts, were rewarded by the decision to make the installation a permanent post in November 1931.
In World War II Fort Devens again was the scene of intense activity as another period of expansion set in. A total of 1,200 new buildings were constructed ' including many of the buildings still in use. An additional 9,000 acres were added.
More than 614,000 inductees processed through this post during World War H. Units trained at Fort Devens included the First "Big Red One" Infantry Division, the 82nd "Red Arrow" Division, and the 45th "Thunderbird" Division.
When the war ended, the post again reverted to a caretaker status, remaining so until 1948. When Korea exploded in 1950, Fort Devens again was called to serve as a reception center, processing enlistees, inductees, and reservists called to meet the emergency, processing more than 85,000 recruits in the first eight months of operation.
Today, Fort Devens is the home station of the XIII US Army Corps. This unit which consolidates the functions of six former state military districts is responsible for administration f or more than 12 5y 000 New England Reservists.Other major units assigned to Fort Devens are the United States Army Security Agency Training Center and School; the STRAC (Strategic Army Corps) 2nd Brigade, 5th Infantry Division --(Mechanized); the 20th Engineer Battalion; the United States Army Hospital, Fort Devens; and other smaller units.
2nd Bde 5th lnf Div
The 2nd Brigade at Fort Devens is one of the three brigades which comprise the 5th Infantry Division (iviech) at Fort Carson, Colorado. A comparatively new unit, the 2nd Brigade has no elite history of its own, though it carries the colors of the 5th Division. On January 3, 1962, President Kennedy saw the need for a stronger national defense, and called for the immediate activation of two new divisions, the 5th Infantry Division (M) was designated to be one of the two essential divisions, under the Army's ROAD concept.
ROAD, (Reorganization Object Army Divisions) is the Army's newest idea on division reorganization and captures the basic philosophy of fitting the unit to meet the need.
During the past year the Brigade has trained at Yakima, Washington; Little Creek, Virginia; Fort Stewart, Georgia, as well as the areas surrounding Fort Devens.
At present, troops of the 2nd Brigade are deeply engaged in spring maneuvers at Camp Drum, New York. Current commander of the 2nd Brigade is Colonel Hugh F. Queenin.
Though the face of Fort Devens changes with the times, in spirit it will always remain a symbol of the Army's role in National defense to the people of New England.
There is hardly a family in New England that during the course of the last 40 years has not sent to Fort Devens a son, brother, father, or husband, to train for battle, or that has not welcomed him home from the wars after his separation at Fort Devens.
From John B. Murphy of Fitchburg, the first man from Massachusetts to report for the 1917 draft to the most recent New England arrival, this installation has been a part of the life and times of this great region. It shall continue to be.
Each summer over 8,000 reservists and some 1800 ROTC Cadets come to Fort Devens for field training. About half of the post is occupied by firing ranges, maneuver areas, and other training facilities.
X111 US Army Corps
On December 7, 1942, the XIII US Army Corps was activated at Providence, Rhode Island.
In May, 1943, the Corps moved to Fort DuPont, Delaware to train for active theater operations and July of 1944 saw the Corps depart from New York for England.
In England the Corps underwent two months of training in Wiltshire, and on September 28, 1944 it entered the continent of Europe through the already famous "Omaha Beach."
Fighting its way across France and Germany, elements of the Corps eventually reached the Elbe River where they met parts of the 89th Russian Corps on May 2nd, 1945.
On July 9, 1945, the Corps returned to the United States. 'It was inactivated at Camp Cooke, California, on September 25,1945,
On January 2, 1958, the Corps was again activated as the XIII US Army Corps (Reserve) at Fort Devens.It exercises command control over all US Army Reserve and ROTC activities in the New England States.
In early 1960 the term "Reserve" was dropped from the Corps designation. The current commander is Major General Benjamin F. Evans, Jr., who Is also the commanding general of the US Army Garrison, Fort Devens.
USASATC&S
The United States Army Security Agency Training Center and School is a Class II activity, assigned to the Chief, US Army Security Agency, and attached to the US Army Garrison, Fort Devens.
It is responsible for providing military education and appropriate technical training to selected officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel of the various services in fields peculiar to the activities of the US Army Security Agency.
When the Army Security Agency was organized in 1945, the Chief of the Army Security Agency assumed control of the Vint Hill Farms branch of the Signal School and in 1946 it was officially designated the US Army Security Agency Training Center and School.
The police action in Korea made it apparent that the existing facilities could not meet the increasing demands for Agency trained personnel, and in November, 1950, Fort Devens was picked as the new home of the USASATC&S.
The move was completed by April 15, 1951, and without interruption of its training mission. The current commandant of the USASATC&S is Colonel Phillip B. Davidson, Jr.
ARMED FORCES DAY SATURDAY, MAY 9
THE OLD AND THE NEW ... Blending into one in spirit ... following the same proud tradition much as in Major Simon Willard's time. Major Willard, son of Richard and Margery Willard was born in Kent England in 1605, At the age of 30, in 1635, he migrated to America with his family, engaging in the fur business in Cambridge. Appointed a local magistrate, he eventually became a Major In the Colonial Forces and was sent to colonize the town of Concord. In 1653 he was sent to colonize the Nashoba Area, now comprising Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Chelmsford, and numerous other towns in a large tract in this area. The Devens Main Gate is the site of his original home and his holdings bore the name "Nonacoicus". The name is still preserved today in the estate of Clara Endicott Sears on Prospect Hill, Harvard, which was a part of the original real estate. An arbiter as well as soldier, Willard ruled much like the feudal lords of Europe. It is known that he traveled as a surveyor, making at least one journey to the shores of Lake Winnepesaukee In New Hampshire where a stone is there that bears his initials. In 1676, when King Philip and his warriors swept down the Mohawk Trail and the Brookfields, plundering, burning and murdering as they came, Willard's Dragoons were sent to the relief of the settlements, but were unable to halt the onslaught. Major Willard's house itself was burned, and his family fled to Charlestown, Mass., where he died on April 24, at the age of 71. He was married three times and left 17 children.
Fort Devens Dispatch Tuesday, May 5, 1964 Page 15
thru monday
happenings hereabouts that we heardabout
by jan sickler
NIGHT LIFE at Blinstrub's is still in full swing with JIMMY DURANTE, tonight (Tues.) and tomorrow night -- 2 shows per evening. Thursday there'll be a twin bill -- PHIL FOSTER. and JOHNNY TILLOTSON -- to keep the pendulum goin'. Tonight at Revere's Frolic Club there's gonna be some more frolickin' as the FOUR COINS hold the spotlight. Then, Sunday, DICK CONTINO will take over. The Shanty Club is going to keep BILL WOOTEN awile longer, and Caesar's Monticello is jumpin' every evening - GORDON MACRAE is scheduled to star there on Thursday. Meanwhile, JOE BUCCI, at the organ, and JOE REDDICK, on the drums, entertain at Connelly's Stardust Room. Like to dance? Well, it's foot-shufflin' time at the Wagon Wheels, Rt. 1, W. Peabody, now featuring the band music of the famed LIONEL HAMPTON. Monday listen to "way-out" jazz of the THELONIOUS MONK QUARTET at the Workshop on Boylston St. Been to the Red Garter, yet?
MUSIC, brought to Jordan Hall, tonight and Friday, will be Mozart's Comic Opera, "COSI FAN TUTTE" produced by the New England Conservatory Opera Theater. Curtains at 8:00 p.m. The enchanting sounds of MISS GEULA GILL from Israel will pervade the hall next Saturday. The Metheon Music Hall is scheduled to open with the first of its annual organ series starring SIR FRANCES JACKSON tomorrow night at 8,30. How about a concert? Go to the Symphony Hall for the 79th season of Pops Concerts conducted by Arthur Fiedler. Performances will be nightly, except Mon., at 8:30. Contemporary and Shakespearian music presented by M.I.T. Concert Band and Sym Orchestra, under John Corley, will fill the Kresge Auditorium. Here, Sunday, at 3:00 p.m. Purcell's "THE FAIRY QUEEN" with the Wellesley College Choir & M.I.T. Glee Club will be shown.
MORE MUSIC, folk-style music, is played nightly at THE UNICORN. Or why not try SOME PLACE ELSE on Cambridge St., right at the bottom of Beacon Hill, for either folk music or jazz -take your choice. Have a cup of coffee, too? (If'n ya really like coffee, you can get some of the best in Boston every nite of the week at THE YANA, off of Kenmore Sq.) CLUB 47 in Cambridge also specializes in folk type music, --There will be assorted talent nightly . . . Sunday's reserved for hootenanny.
ON STAGE at the Wilbur is ROAR LIKE A DOVE. Thru Sunday at the Hotel Bostonian is THE ROOM and THE DUMBWAITER, while GLASS MENAGERIE goes on at the Charles Playhouse. The Royal Shakespeare Theater will close Saturday after their lengthy debut of KING LEAR and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS at the Shubert. Here, Monday, there will be two weeks of fun, fun, fun, with "Playboy's favorite playgirl" -- Miss June Wilkinson -- starring in PAJAMA TOPS, a very French farce. Continuing at the Colonial is the musical comedy, FADE OUT, FADE IN, with Carol Burnett. Curtain time's at 8:30, p.m., and matinees are held Wed., and Sat. Tickets are now on sale for the May 18th opening of "HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING"... a limited engagement at the Colonial. KING LEAR will open Thursday at the Loeb Theater to play thru next Sat. and then reopen Mon. Cinerama -- IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD--now showing at the Boston Theater. (Don't miss THE PINK PANTHER, if you like to laugh, playing locally.)
TICKETS may be obtained for the Tanglewood, Berkshire Festival, coming soon. Order from the Symphony Hall in Boston. UTILIZE YOUR USO. * * * * *