The Gettysburg Times from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania • Page 8

PAGE SIX t'HE GETTYSBURG TliviES, FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1954 Interesting Recollections Of Early Tank Corps Days And Personalities Star And Sentinel Reported Activities Of Founding Of Camp Colt Here In 1918 With Capt. Eisenhower Corps Commandant By DR. ROBERT FORTENBAUGH Camp rolt was the first training camp in United States history devoted to tank warfare, and a young captain, Dwight D. Eisenhower, became its commander. Because of the Gettysburg's military fame and the availability of land for camp purposes military camps have been frequently set up for varying periods.

In 1917 a large training camp was set up to prepare men for participation in the First World War. It is said that this camp held at one time as many as 15,000 men but. possibly because of security reasons, it never had a 'name. It was discontinued toward the end of the year because of severe weather, but apparently it was to be re-activated the next year. In February 23, 1918, issue the "Star and Sentinel" remarked that there "would surely be a camp here in the spring months and that a regiment "of Signal Corps troops had been notified that it was to report at Gettysburg in March." Rumors of other contingents coming here are also noted.

In the next issue of the paper mention is made of the open- In of bids on February 25, 1918 for furnishing 10,000 cords of wood to the Quartermaster Department at the Gettysburg Camp. The first notice in the "Star and Sentinel" of the Camp beginning in Gettysburg in the spring of 1918 contains the following: "Two days ahead of scheduled time, the company of tankers from Camp Cody, New Mexico, arrived here on Tuesday evening (that would be March 19th) between eight and nine o'clock over the Reading Railroad. They came in a special train of six coaches, Uie outfit including 21 officers and 232 men. All were in high was spirits over their arrival here and recrea reading rooms, etc. It when they started for camp they "-went just as fast as they could travel.

35 More Arrive Friday (the 22nd morning there arrived from Columbus Barracks 35 more men who were assigned to their quarters at the camp. On Friday there also arrived a company of 250 officers and men from Camp Upton, Yaphank, Long Island. All arrangements "have been perfected for caring for them in the converted mess haHs. With the arrival of the Camp Upton men there will be well Mamie Eisenhower is shown above on the steps of the local ATO house where resided with her husband (now President Eisenhower) when he was hi command of Camp Colt. With her is her late first son, Doud Dwight.

the healthiest camp in the country. Just as after the Battle of Gettysburg the facilities of this relatively small community were stretched beyond what was considered possible, so in those days of 1917 and 1918 really remarkable feats were accomplished. But the fact that the 1917 installations had been removed the camp closed in the fall delayed getting things started again for "camr Colt in the service of not until May 3 that the Y.M.C.A. had faculties ready. Colt personnel then numbered two training battalions, and a causal company, into which all newcomers to camp were placed for quarantine and later assignment.

Four YM.C.A. secretaries were here by May 3 at which time 2,000 men were to have been in camp. Taft Addresses Men On May 15 the men of the Tank Corps, as they now seem to have been called, were assembled in the onto 700 men quartered in the build- are to hear address by Ex- ings. No further advices have been received about other companies being sent here but they will in from day to day in groups ranging from 25 to 250 as has been the case 'since the first ones arrived here last week, A number of officers have come in during the past few days. As yet the officer to command the camp has not been designated, so far as is known here.

The tankers are becoming such an important part of the country's fighting forces that there is a great deal of talk about making them a separate and distinctive branch of the service with their own organization, the same as the infantry, cavalry, artillery, and so on. The tankers are now part of the engineers but under the new have their 6wn noon be President William Howard Taft, who that morning had delivered the commencement at "Gettysburg College. The Star and- Sentinel for May 18, 1918, says: "The assembling of the soldiers in the Square gave Gettysburg its first opportunity to see, in a single body, the men from Camp Colt. Nearly all of the companies were brought in and made a fine showing as they formed into a hollow square. In the Star and Sentinel for May 25 mention is made for the first time in that paper of the commandant of Camp Colt.

It says: "Captain Eisenhower, commandant at Camp Colt, has promised a battalion of tankers for the Memorial day one of the small French tanks was received by freight from an automobile factory 'Somewhere in America' The machine received here is of the Renault type. It is one of four tanks sent from France to America to be used as models in the construction of similar fighting cars Kore. Neither the one which is now at Camp Colt nor any of the others is heavily armored and none of them saw service at the front. It is of the same general type used by the French in their warfare. The larger tanks are more formidable in appearance than these and more deadly in their destruction, but the light tank is capable of quick maneuvering.

The rumor of one tank now having been justified, another is in circulation that several more of the moving fortresses are to be received here, including one of the big machines." The next week the Star and Sentinel found it necessary to announce to the public that the tank was stationed in a isolated part of the camp and visitors were not al- SHRINE RITES BRING HISTORY TO GETTYSBURG Following Tanker dedication services on Saturday afternoon. Battlefield guides will have a new memorial to point out to tourists as "the birthplace of the American Armored Forces." Few shrines in America will be so deeply rooted in American history, as the tankers "Memorial Pine Tree." Fifty pounds of earth taken from the 48 states, Hawaii and Alaska will be scattered around the roots of the pine tree, earth steeped in the blood of American soldiers from the Revolution through the great wars of our republic. From South Carolina comes soil from the Kings Mountain Battlefield, where the British were defeated by American troops on Oct. 7, 1780. Texas sends soil from the Alamo, where Davy Crockett, Col.

James Bowie, and a handful of Americans were by Santa Anna in 1835, and from San Jacinto where on April 21, 1836. the Texans won their independence from Mexico. Louisiana -soil was dug from Chalmette Battlefield where Andrew Jackson won the Battle of New Orleans by whipping the British forces, January 8, 1815, after the treaty at Ghent had already been signed. The North Dakota earth is that trod by General George A. Custer at Fort Lincoln as he set out with his 7th cavalry in 1876 to face massacre at the hands of Sitting Bull.

From Patton's Home From Massachusetts has come earth from the home of General George S. Patton, one of the world's great tank commanders; from Vermont, ground from Calvin Coolidge's homestead. Colorado is represented by "land from the home of Mrs. John S. Doud, mother of Mrs.

D. D. Eisenhower. Nome's Golden Beach, black and ruby sand flecked with gold, Ft. Knox, with earth scopped up in a mint julep cup.

Florida, with soil from a historic cannon outside the Jacksonville city hall, are other sites whose earth will form a portion of the new memorial. About 350 Tankers will parade from Lincoln Square to old 1918 "Dear Commander Button: I am pleased that South Carolina can send a portion of soil from an historical spot for use in your ceremony of planting a pine tree in honor of President Eisenhower. The soil being transmitted to your Association by Mr. J. T.

P. MacdonaTd of South Carolina, was taken from the battlefield at Kings Mountain, a site which commemorated the turning-point of the Southern Colonies in the Revolutionary War. May 4he greatest of success attend the reunion of the Tank Corps veterans of Camp Colt with their old commander who is now our Mutton, Tanker Chief, Praises Gettysburg's Strong Influence OnTopArmoredCombatLeaders President. Sincerely yours JAMES F. BYRNES Governor" ferent hat cord and Thursday after- compames of 100 men sent and form marked as members of a branch of column the service other than the one toj marshal the de wiu a wJUch they are now attached- This Indicates now new tank war- also be furnished from camp." Mention fare was is also made of the intention to have ana that the United States had not yet any more than began as a weapon, but here at Gettys-j burg the U.

S. Tank Corps be-' ginning was made. of Memorial Day, men were said to be preparing. What must have been a great i event in earlier history of Camp Seven to 8 000 men were In train- Colt was the arrival on June 6 of ing at Camp Colt when it was at its, the first battle-tried tank. The Star height of activity, and it was'and Sentinel for June 8, 1918.

reclaimed that, excluding the influenza ports: "The long expected tank is epidemic which swept not only the here. Camp Colt's officers and men camps but the whole country as happy as a playground full fall, Camp Colt had the record as of children vrith a new toy. Thurs- Nebraska Sends Kearny Soil Governor C. Elmer Anderson, of Minnesota, is shown depositing a shoveful of the Gopher state's soil into a container for shipment to Gettysburg where it will be mixed with soil from 47 other states when a pine tree is planted on the site of Eisenhower's Camp Colt headquarters Saturday afternoon following a parade from the Meade School. Sergeant First Class James M.

Hunter, Public Information Officer Section of the Minesota Military District, is holding the container. lowed to get a sight of it, much less a ride. In the same issue it was reported that a band was to be organized at the camp, and that movies were taken of the Corps in on Tuesday. June 11. All battalions were out on parade, with their two tanks.

An infantry charge with the real tank was enacted. Through the summer notice was 1 given in the local papers of the coming of other contingents until the high number was reached in the fall. Then in September came the announcement that the "first battalion of the Tank Corps which left here several weeks ago by train Jor a point of embarkation is now safe overseas." At the same time the first rumors of the transfer of the camp south for winter, in I the expectation that the war wouW continue Tor some months longer. I It was fairly certain that, as as cold weaher set in. the camp Tank Corps headquarters near the north end of the field of Pickett's Charge.

Lt. General Floyd L. Parks, commanding general 2nd Army will act as marsball, and the celebrated 90 piece nnd Fields, Army band from Ft. Meade will participate. To Dedicate Pine At Camp Colt headquarters Glenn Hutton, Brenham, Texas, national commander of the Tankers association will formally dedicate the 25 foot pine tree to President Eisenhower, commanding officer and captain in 1918, as a living testimonial from his tanker associates.

After the earth has been scattered by tankmen from the 48 states and the two territories, a beautiful bronze plaque, properly inscribed be set in front of the tree, which will be encircled by a walk. Should President and Mrs. Eisenhower be unable to attend the ceremonies, General Parks will accept the tree and plaque in their name. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Tankers will reform and march back to headquarters in the Hotel Gettysburg. -Clyde D.

Berger, Finance Officer of the Homecoming Reunion of the GENERAL PARKS LED US TROOPS INTO BERLIN Lt. General Floyd Parks, who rose from private to general to lead the first American troops into Berlin, July 1, 1945, will lead parading Tankers from Lincom Square to the Meade School and then the site of Old Camp Colt Headquarters where he served as a tank captain in 1918. In the absence of President Eisenhower, General Parks will officially receive the Pine Tree Memorial and Bronze Plaque in the name of his commander-in-cnief. Born in Louisville, in 1896, General Parks was graduated from Clemson CoUege. S.

in 1918 with a B.S. in science and began army service in the same year as a In February 1918 he was commissioned a temporary second lieutenant in the corps of engineers. Assigned to the 65th Engineers he was ordered to Ft. Oglethorpe and then to Camp Colt, Gettysburg, in March 1918. After various tours he was ordered to Yale University in .1923 and was graduated in 1924 with an M.S.

in mechanical engineering. Following further service in the U.S. hp was transferred to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and served with the llth Tank Company until 1926, when ne became assistant to the assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G-I, Hawaii. Headed Forces From 1928 until 1944 General Parks served as aide to the superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Transferred overseas he became Chief of Staff, Headquarters, First Allied Airborne Army. He served in that capacity through all its military operations including a large scale, 3 division assault on Holland, in 1944. and the crossing of the Rliine at Wessel. 1945. At the end of hostilities the U.S.

element of the Allied Airborne unit became the First Airborne Army Tanker Briefs Frank C. Townsend, Elkhart, Ind, who served as a captain with the 301st Tank the original fighting tanks in France in 1918, has the most complete assortment of tanker mementoes in the country. Townsend's take ranges from allied victory flags, through pistols and flares, medals -and banners. He's still looking for the triangle blade trench knives, and any other interesting items such as captured flags or banners Townsend was sent into action in 1918 but wound up on the bottom of an accident which saw a kraut 77 overturn the ammunition truck on which he was riding. Glenn Hutton, Brenham, Texas, National Commander World Wars Tank Corps Association, recently wrote an article for the association's official periodical "The Tankerine." Button's articles follows: During the height of the bitter spring campaigns of 1918 in Europe there sprang into being a new branch of the United States and Allied forces known as the Tank Corps.

Destined to make history during World Wax I in a small way it was due to expand into the fast moving Cavalry of the Army. Among creators of that arm of the service were none other than tine brilliant Generals Dwight D. Esenhower, George 8. Patton, and Floyd L. Parks.

These great leaders had their initial baptism in the Armored Forces at no other spot than on the hallowed ground of Gettysburg, where the brave boys of the Blue and Grey carried on heroicaly in the Civil War. History Made At Gettysburg On the blood-drenched ground of the Wheat Field, the Bloody Angle, Devils Den, Little and Big Round Top, Cemetery Ridge and Seminary Ridge and even in the streets of little Gettysburg itselfc history was made. During all the training period at old Camp Colt the great military leaders mentioned above received inspiration, as did each member of the Tank Corps. We lived history during those days in our history study of the famous Civil War battle and viewed the grounds and scenes of action. Pride In Generals Each Souterener took pride in the planning of Generals Lee, Pickett, and others.

The Northern boys likewise received inspiration from the accomplishments of Generals Meade, Warren and others too numerous to mention. Then the Southerner joined his buddy of ttie North in standing silently and bareheaded to read tbe immortal words of a martyred Lincom on the spot where the Gettysburg Address, one of Amencas's proud contributions to world history, was delivered. That is the background of the American Tank Corps, and it is GLEN HUTTON National Commander heroes of Bastogne could well received the spark at Gettysburg which ignited his patriotic anJ heroic planning of his campaigns for the Cavalry leaders of both North and South carried on with such drive and out-flanking movements in struggle at Gettysburi as to inspire a like effort on the part of those who trained at that historic spot. General Parks General Parks loved that old gang at CrettysDurg. He has lived those days over and over throughout life in the Army and is devotee to the policy of perpetuation of this historical background.

In his leadership of an Army to the very gates of Berlin he no doubt was actuated by memories of the historic leaden at Gettysburg. Even in the South Pacific and thi islands of the seas the Tank formed the spearhead-of the drives which brought victory over Japan- Had Gen. Wainwright been properly outfitted with adequate Tanl forces, and other needed support from the air the Death March ne doubt would not have been sufferec fitting that" the World Wars Tank by our DO ys at Bataan. Corps Association, founded by the' Tanker John F. MacDonald, CO A 331st, Laurens, S.

who ompleted his state's soil project getting earth from Kings battlefield where a lot of wuiherners "beat the daylights ut of the British" commented that he King's Mountain soil "would better than some from Ft. sumter, where some South Caro- inians gleefully shot h-- out of ome 'damyankees' to start the War Between the States." Tankers, who is in Gettysburg for two celebrations the reunion with his old tank corps buddies and with Mrs. Berger will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. The Bergers were married in York, August 28. 1919.

and Parks assumed command of it. He also became Commanding General of the U.S. Sector. Berlin District, and in this capacity led the S. troops into Berlin.

General Parks made all arrangements for the U.S. contingent of tie Potsdam Conference of the numbered in 3.000 and days the popuia- had melted away." President Tmman for his -work After serving as Chief Command A pound of 1 which felt the horses, has beer, mixed with soJ from o'her 47 at the br-se cl a 2Vfoot pine tree ITS be a Iiv.rs: rr.ir, to th ft b.r'r.place of the Tar.jc of the IT Arrr.v and be OS ir- ard Korea Cavalry of ha; replaced by Armor here to be ir.ai.v Arrr.nr Officers and men have at ft of the picture J- Crosby, of bia the of Fort arr.v in vause the af.np part it hac protect.nc the Oregon Trail) A number of men of Camp Colt er of the allied military govern be moved to Raleigh. NC. I later re-visited Gettysburg, a body of Berlin, he became chjgf the Public Information Di The jrreater worry immediately some 1716 back to make their the influenze epidemic which homes here Among them was the took a heavy toll of the men fo commandant who Is now a property- i owner in Adams County, and hopes some day to be an actual resident Camp Colt but which was announced as conquered by the end of October. Then came November llth and the tankers instead of going for further training in North Carolina, 1 were beiue moved out by November 15 to Fort Dix, Captain Eisenhower was pro- moted to the rank of major in the formation Division, Office Chief vision.

War Department, in 1946 In August 1948. he was appoin ted deputy commander of tin U.S. Army. Pacific, and a yea later returned to the United State. of th Public In late summer of 1918.

With Mrs. staff. U.S. Army. Washington.

In their son. Doud 1953 he was appointed Command Eisenhower and it, he arrived to take command Camp anc a it tertimorial ol the affer- and immediate 3n latc MaTCh or Tauj in! to veterans of Old Camp Colt should live on and be joined by the veterans of World War and the Korean campaign. Gettysburg Helped Planning We can well speculate that Gen. Eisenhower while planning the North African campaign, the Sicilian campaign, the Italian drives and the great campaigns of Europe had ever in his mind the campaigns and efforts of the Civil War heroes of Gettysburg. He could not forget.

Gen. Patton, in his 'tank campaigns in North Africa and Sicily, and then the brillian tactical efforts he showed acroes Europe, and his drive to relieve the beleaguered Reminiscing about old Tanker' days old Colter Jack Conlon re- that New York papers car- led advertisements when the Tank Jorps was formed. Conlon says that the papers called for "huskies' enlist so he took his 140 pounds Camp Slocum and signed up. Conlon was shipped from Slocum to Camp Colt and assigned to Co. A-303rd BN.

Heavies. Next he went overseas and wound up in France close to a British tank assembling plant. According to Conlon tiie aeavies couldn't do more than miles an hour 'Minor which meant that the track came apart, were done with a sledge lammer and a spanner. The history of the 65th Engineer Regiment Is one of the shortest on record The unit lasted exactly 17 days before it became tfre Tank Corps. Precepts of the late General Gsorge S.

Patton greatest of the armored unit commanders were: 4 1 In yourself demand the impossible. 2 Always risk. Nothing worthwhile can be achieved without risking something. 3. Never listen to the advice of fear.

Edmund R. Teubner. president, Philadelphia Asbestos was Bn. Reconnaissance NCO, 30lst Heavy Tank in the old Camp Colt Days. Some of Fort Meade's famous firsts the history of armor include: the birth of the army's first Experimental Mechanized Force, the first Mechanized Cavalry troop, the original Tank Destroyer Battalion, and Tank Destroyer Headquarters.

TOM WHITE National Adjutant The earth from Nome's Golden Beacfe which will be used to help plant the Tankers Memorial Pine Tree was gathered by a Fennsyl- vaaian Cpl. John Shoemaker. Fought Bravely As i' was they fought with bravery which inspired their forefathers at that historic Pennsylvania spot. We are all, in the present, fuj aware of the heroic efforts of Generals Dean, MacArthur, Taylor, Van Fleet, Walker and other leaders in Korea, who used the Tank to drive back and forth across that tragic peninsula to try and weld victory for our arms. The heroic exploits of our Tank Forces in that war attest to their value.

They had their inspiration at Gettysburg also, and but for the creation of this valued arm of our defense anc" offense in 191fr and ita development over the years since, America could not have welded victory out of defeat, retreat, and other humiliation. Flame Ignited In saying this, we do not discredit any other branch of the service, for all of whom we hold the highest regard and respect. They did their part, too. It took teamwork on the part of alL But prior to World War I we ha only the horse-drawn vehicles and transport corps and horse cavalry, none of which could have executed the "blitz." Yes, my buddies of old Camp Colt, we must carry on. We must back up our World Wars Tank Corps Association; the "Daddy of the Tank Corps, Armored Force organizations." We must not let it die.

We helped make history and are justly proud of the part we played in pioneering this great branch of the service. These are the thoughts of your Commando 1 Adjutant and all other officers and loyal members who have kept the fires burning over the years, which flame was ignited at Gettysburg. Jacksonville Sends Soil General of the Second Army headquarters at Fort Meade. I family occupied the Alpha Tr.e tree wj; also be oec.cv.ei A 'f of the 6th Armored As.cooav.ori The T34 discharge. Tar.K shown in the background jj i The Compiler for November 23, Omesa Fraternity house until con ani esteem held lor him bv most modem tank 1915 could say." Camp Colt, Gettys-1 October when thev removed Corps far crv from the the burR te a desert village the house on Sprir.cs Ave now the'Pf 611 jCCp From its huroble at Worid War I foucht in TM -I.

and big red-starred mark- Camp Colt on the the General George S. Patton used to speed to the front in an JVil 4111U Armored has a Urd- thev resided Tor re bittmg and effective force the project of providing -Pounds of Na- departed on Saturday and Sunday, mainder of their stay in Gcttys- tt World War I and Soil lor Tankers' So-ols." 1 cam burg. ers on the front and rear to -troop morale by letting his men i see the comnander going 'up iit-ims- j. "stead of back' from tht front wear the same patch. The iriangnlar yellow, red.

and blue patch ol American Tankmen was created by Dwight D. Eisenhower, when he served as camp commander at Camp CcJt here in 1918. The yellow on top of the patch A Lu6 OH KOC Ali Jr left for artillery, and the blue on is-1 the right for infantry. Modern the other 47 states. Alaska pine which wffl be commemorate the first nationwide revafen Wan Tank.