RELEASE #3

U. S. ARMY ENLISTMENT BROADCAST

APRIL 29, 1941 -- KOIN 10:30-45

ANNCR: KOIN Presents..................."Soldiers of the Air."

MUSIC: THEME "SECOND CONNECTICUT REGIMENT" (475) UP AND FADE TO BACK-

GROUND .

ANNCR: This evening KOIN is pleased to co-operate with the United States

Army Recruiting Service in presenting the third of a series of regular weekly broadcasts bringing you the informal, informative and interesting story of the "Soldiers of the Air."

MUSIC: THEME UP AND OUT

ANNCR: Ladies and gentlemen, our two friends Larry Foster, the young

recruit, and the old-timer, Bill "Butch" Harris, are with us again to tell us about their activities since we heard from them last week. Larry, in his brand new uniform, looks every inch the soldier and I might add that the boyish enthusiasm has taken on more of a serious aspect. How about it Larry?

LARRY: Your right, Mr.______________________. I'm beginning to see

what Bill meant when he spoke about this "Business of being a soldier". . .It doesn't take very long to find out that it is a very serious business, especially at drill time, when your Buddy snaps commands at you as though he never saw you before in his whole life.

BILL: You're a soldier now, Larry, and when you are in the ranks I

don't know you any more than I do any other man in line.

ANNCR: Bill isn't getting rough, is he, Larry?

LARRY: Oh no, but during drill and setting up exercises he sure does

bark out his commands. /Ind if I slip up he doesn't spare my

feelings — not one bit.

2-2-2

BILL:

LARRY:

BILL:

LARRY:

BILL:

ANNCR:

LARRY:

ANNCR:

LARRY:

ANNCR:

LARRY:

BILL:

What do you want me to do (Simpering), Say, "Larry boy will

you kindly hold your rifle a trifle more to the left, your not in harmony with the rest of the boys?"

Gosh, no(General Laughter)

I want you to learn how to snap into action, to make your body coordinate with your mind, so that at every command you will react at once. Do what is expected of you.

Sure, I understand, Bill. But when I first lined up for drill

I was sort of startled at the change in you. It was kind of, — unexpected.

Well, just remember this, lad, when I'm on duty I'm not your

pal any more than I am any other man's.

It didn't take long for Bill to be promoted, did it, Larry?

I'll say it didn't. As soon as I got back from the reception center, here was Bill shouting orders to line up for our first drill.

What do you mean by "Reception Center"?

Oh, I didn't explain that, did I? You see, as soon as I was enlisted I had to go up to Fort Lewis, Washington, to be interviewed so that I could be given a definite classification.

That must have been another tough exam.

For a wonder, it wasn’t. The examining officer just hud a sort of casual conversation with me, asked me very simple questions, like where I hud worked before, how long, what kind of work it was, and how much wages did I receive, did I like my work, and how I got along. . .all simple questions like that.

Simple, huh? Say fellow, those questions are tricky I

The boys don't realize that these simple questions are so scientifically arranged, that the officer questioning, can definitely tell just how to classify the recruit.

3-3-3 ANNCR: Did you havo to answer them too, Bill?

BILL: Oh yes, I had to follow through the regular routine same as the other boys.

LARRY: Bill got u rating us an expert mechanic, because of his long training in the army, and I got apprenticeship. But the surprising part to me was the recheck physical examination. I wasn't looking for that*

ANNCR: What was the idea of that?

BILL: To see if I'd caught cold I You'll be surprised to know, Mr. , that many times the boys catch cold on their way up to Fort Lewis or contract some illness. The recheck was not for my benefit, I guess, but to protect the encampment from any illness that might be contagious. They got to take precautions.

ANNCR: Uncle Sam surely is particular when it comes to the health of his boys.

LARRY: ,1'11 say he is. Get this. . .One of the first things I was told to do, when I hud the slightest cold or sign of illness was to report at once to hospital quarters. Imagine'. Going to a hospital for a cold '. Say, you ought to see the hospital at the Air Base '. It is the most wonderful thing you ever saw, at least it was to me.

BILL: We can't do too much to improve the health of our soldiers.

LARRY: No argument there. . .1 wish you could have seen the layout of clothing I got. Just imagine Mr. , I got ten suits of underwear, IQ pair of socks, two pair of service shoes, — they're sure made for comfort. I got two uniforms, an overcoat, a rain coat, a service cap, four shirts and a blouse. Nov/ I ask you? and wait, before I forget, — Four swell

woolen blankets, sheets and even pillow slips for my bed I

4-4-4

ANNCR: Ten suits of underwear and ten pair of socks? I wonder how

many young men have such an extensive wardrobe.

BILL: Not many. No man in the army has an excuse for personal neg-

lect with that layout.

LARRY: It makes a fellow feel good too, I can tell you. After the

day’s work is done you go to a shower, change into fresh underwear and socks, clean shirt, clean suit, polished shoes. Oh boy, I tell you you feel clean'.

ANNCR: Vlell that is the last word in personal care.

BILL: The boys are taught to make cleanliness a real factor in their

lives. They should bathe every day. All of their heavy duties make personal hygiene a serious matter. It has just as much to do with the development of their characters as anything else. The army makes a boy aware of many things. For instance, people wonder why the government is so particular about assigning such a large amount of clothes and bedding. This is done to improve the general health of the so ldier, - to raise the natural resistance to infection. A soldier must have from 7 to 8 hours sleep to avoid undue fatigue. The Basic Field Manual plainly states, "The morale of an organization has a very definite relation to the physical conditions of its members."

ANNCR: No doubt about that. I suppose, Larry, now that you're slicked

up, you'll be steppin' out.

LARRY: I thought I was going to. . .but Bill kind of discouraged me

about that. . .1 had a notion of going to town and kind of letting loose a little bit. You know, take my girl out to a

movie. And. .

5-5-5

BILL:

LARRY:

BILL:

LARRY:

BILL:

Nov/ don’t get ne wrong, kid. I don’t say that you shouldn't go out and have a good time once in awhile. . .but let’s see just what your Uncle Sam has done for you, before you begin runnin' hog wild. . .and you, Larry, was the guy that was raving about the cantonment being such a great place to spend a cozy evening'.

I'll say I was. Mr. , you ought to come out

to the Portland Columbia Air Base when you get a chance. Bill is right about that. We've got a dandy movie house. And in the Recreation Hall we have a stage where we can give our own shows, and have any kind of entertainment we want.

So, I said to Larry, bring your girl out to the camp* Take her to the movie there. It'll only cost you about twelve and a half cents to see the best of movies. If you want to dance they've got a place for that too. There's a canteen with refreshments, and what's more you're in a good environment.

Sure, Bill, you're right, but a fellow's got to go to town once in awhile.

I'm not sayin' you shouldn't, but the idea of going down to town and getting tanked up and meetin' a lot of dames that you don't know anything about, — that's no go. ■‘•'hat's what worries the medicos, and that's what we old-timers are trying so hard to moke the boys see: -- that a lot of gals are just waiting to pounce on the soldier as soon as he gets to town, and if he isn't careful, — well he'll be remembering it the rest of his life. . .That's why the government is building contonment cities, making them attractive and giving the boys all the advantages of education, and amusement to keep them happy and healthy. . .

6-6-6

ANNCR: There's wisdom for you, Lurry.

LARRY: Don't let that worry you, Mr. , I'm not going

to let a lot of foolishness stop me. I've made up my mind that I'm going to make the Flying Cadets. . .Laugh that one off. . .I'm going in as an apprentice and work. I'm going to know every nut, bolt, whir and whimper about a plane. The day that I take over my first flying machine, is going to repay me for all the fun I miss right now.

BILL: (BILL HAS TAKEN IN THE SNAPPY ATTITUDE OF THEPARADE GROUNDS.)

Now your talkin'. You know Mr. , now that

Larry's getting sort of settled, I want him to see the serious side of being a soldier. Just how his behavior reacts on public opinion. . .1 know what I'm talking about. For instance, there's one thing that every self respecting soldier in the army should know: — that one drunken soldier on the street slanders the whole U. S. Array. Just because he's got on a uniform, right away somebody will point him out and say, "look at that soldier." People get the idea that the army blesses that kind of behavior, but young fella, get that notion out of your head. It may not be generally known, but let a soldier keep.'.that kind of stuff up, and he'll get a little notification that goes something like this. (READS WITH SLOW EMPHASIS) "Discharged from the army of the United States, because he gives evidence of habits or traits of character which serve to render his retention in the service undesirable". . .and if you don't believe it look up Army Regulations 615-360 P. 17.

LARRY: Wow', Wait a minute, Bill. We're not on parade now. Did I

suy I was going out and, — act that way?

7-7-7

BILL: No. And you bettor not. It burns me up when I see some young recruit thinking he's a great guy, because he can stagger down the street in a uniform. You, Larry, just spoke of your ambition to be a flier, Well, let this sink in, the first requirement is a perfect co-ordination of mind and body. The last word in natural rhythm if you want to put it that way, and when you pass that exam, lad, you are as near a superman as you can get.

LARRY: Boy, are you piling it on '.

BILL: You asked for it.

ANNCR: It does sound kind of hard, Larry, but Bill means it for the best.

BILL: That's the kind of a Buddy I am.

LARRY: Believe it or not, I like it.

BILL: I'll tell you a story about the reaction of the general public to the soldier. This happened to me, too. I don't mind telling you that I was very much in love with a charming young lady. One day she asked me to come over to her home and meet her family. I thought I would become a private citizen for the evening, so I put on my civilian clothes and went over. In the course of the evening this young lady's mother sensed that I was kind of serious about her daughter, so she asked me what business I vias in and all that sort of thing, and I said, "Why I'm a soldier." There was silence for a few moments, and then her mother said, "Well for heaven's sake. . .I'd kever would have taken you for a soldier." (General Laughter)

LARRY: Why not?

BILL: Well — you see-- well nowadays soldiers are different.

LARRY: What happened to the girl, Bill?

8-8-8

BILL: She's my wife.

ANNCR: And I venture to say, Bill, her mother has been proud of her soldier son-in-law.

BILL: I hope so. Fact is I haven't heard a word of complaint since we were married.

ANNCR: Larry, my suggestion to you is: Stick to Bill and you'll be wearing military medals.

LARRY: You're telling me?

ANNCR: Well, boys, this has been an interesting evening, and we hope as the weeks go by you'll be here to tell us more of a soldier's life. Especially you, Lurry, I am sure our radio friends are eager to follow you until the "happy day" you were speaking of when you take that first flight on your own. We have another guest with us tonight, ladies and gentlemen, whom you will enjoy meeting. We asked him to come up to our meeting and add a few words of his own on this subject of the Army accepting recruits for the Air Corps and Foreign Service branches of the service. Ladies and gentlemen, may we present .

OFFICER: Thank you, Hr. Talbett, tonight I want to talk for a few minutes, about the campaign the Army Recruiting Service is making for enlistments in the Regular Army of the United States. You are all, of course, by now well acquainted with the fact that our country has called thousands of young men to service with the colors for a period of one year under the Selective Service Training Act. This is just fine, as it gives these young men the opportunity to get some basic or fundamental military experiences so that in case we should ever need them they will be ready to

serve their country.

9-9-9 OFFICER: (CONT.)

However, our new Army requires men of good education who have been thoroughly trained in the modern mechanics of a modern Army to enlist for three years to makeup the permanent organization of our Army. Oregon has been asked to fill a quota of 600 young men for Regular Army Service. These young men will have the opportunity to receive training in many of the technical schools being conducted by the Army. There are eleven technical schools, each one having several branches. These have been established at different Army Posts for young men who are qualified and who are ambitious for advancement in the Army so that they may receive specialized training. Graduation from one of these schools is an almost certain passport to quick advancement in the Army. I wish to repeat that they boy going to one of these schools must be ambitious and must have ability, in order to qualify, but every man has the chance to get this training if he has the proper kind of stuff in him. The Air Corps, Corps of Engineers, the various mechanized branches and many other specialized branches of the Army require technical skill of its soldiers. The Army is preparing its soldiers in these technical skills.

In order to present these facts before the public an Oregon "To the Colors Committee" has been organized to assist the recruiting service in presenting the values of Army Training to the young men of this state. This committee is headed by Major General Charles H. Martin, an officer who has a long and distinguished military career. Members of the press, radio executives, heads of American Legion Posts, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the World War, Reserve Officers Associa

tion, and other civic bodies, are all represented on this committee.

10-10-10

OFFICER: Each of these groups is doing its share to present the story (CONT.)

of our new Army to the youth of our state. All any boy has to

do to get competent advise on an Army career is to talk to a legionnaire, a veteran or a reserve officer. I wish to urge you young men listening to me now to get in touch with some friend of yours who is a member of one of these organizations. Many of you young men who are graduating from high school this year have received a personal letter from Colonel Hensley, the District Recruiting Officer for this state. I am sure that the material sent to you in this letter must have aroused your interest. Why don’t you talk it over with someone in your nearest recruiting office. Either here in Portland at the Post Office or at any one of the Army Recruiting substations located in the Post Office Buildings in Astoria, Pendleton, Eugene, Marshfield, Ontario, Klamath Falls, Medford, and Salem.

Have any of you ever wanted to travel in foreign countries.

You could find no better opportunity to see many parts of the world than by serving in one of the Army overseas stations.

The Army maintains large Army posts in the Philippines, Hawaii, in Panama, and in Alaska. A boy living in this community can enlist to serve in any one of these Army Posts. Foreign service offers a very attractive life. Life in a tropical country is much different than it is here and I believe that service in

any one of these lands will provide a real thrill.

ANNCR: Thank you very much, sir, you have just heard

who was kind enough to come to our studio and add a few words

to our program.

11-11-11

ANNCR: You are all invited to cone up to the studio again next Tuesday

(CONT.)

night if you can and we'll have another informal chut about what’s doing in the army to become a "Soldier of the Air".

MUSIC: THEME (475) UP AND FADE TO BACKGROUND

ANNCR: These programs are produced in cooperation with the Portland

Regular Array Recruiting Station, and the Oregon Writers’ Project. Tune in next Tuesday evening at this same time when "Soldiers of the Air" will again be broadcast from the studios of KOIN, the Journal, Portland.

MUSIC: THEME TO FULL