The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 7

Suzy-Q Rests After Winning Glory in War Many Workers Change Minds, Back on Jobs Board at S.R.A.S.C. Gets Praise as Job Turnover Is Lower Son Bernardino AIR SERVICE COMMAND News If 1 1 1 1 Oct. 30, 1944 PERSONAL NEWS ABOUT VAST ARMY OF AIR FIELD WORKERS present Juanita Thomas's husband, who is stationed in France, Training School Has Own Version Of 'E' Symbol San Bernardino' Air Service command's aircraft training school for Air Transport command troops has designed It own version of the Army-Navy It is a pennant carrying the symbol, presented In a weekly contest for efficiency. Instructors In each class compete against those In all other seven classes for the award. The winning class, decided on a basis of least "gigs" or demerits in 10 separate categories, keeps the emblem as long as it can remain out In front.

Ulrich J. Schmld, administrator of the aircraft training unit, who arranged the award six weeks ago; Is pleased with results. "The contest is proving an effective way to further Increase the efficiency of our 159 instructors," he said. "The spirit of friendly rivalry has even spread to the soldier trainees who are cooperating with their teachers In every way to help them win." The judging It based on housekeeping, safety, compliance with technical orders, compliance with directives, making of reports, promptness, maintenance of equipment, students' actions, instructors' actions, and keeping of schedules. Classes which have already won the are machine shop, in charge of Seth Rehkop; aircraft mechanics, In charge of Joseph Tomlinson; hydraulic units, under Charles Halberg; and aircraft electrics, under Alfred Read.

The latter two sections have received the banner twice each. Six Rewarded For Ingenuity Af Air Field Huge Saying Results From Filing System Devised by Woman Led by one for $100, awards totaling $145 were distributed among six persons by the San Bernardino Air Service command committee on civilian awards. The largest went to Mrs. Francis A. Blackwell, former supervisor of miscellaneous units in branch 6 of the supply division.

Others went to Vincent E. Alaimo, engine installation, maintenance division, $10; Frederick W. Huish, cabinet maker, and Warren A. Upright, foreman, woodshop, shops maintenance, $15 to be divided between them; Clarence D. Leigh, gun repair unit, maintenance division, $10, and Oliver H.

McElfesh, wheels and brakes unit of maintenance division, $10. REVISED SYSTEM Mrs. Blackwell, who now resides in Rupert, Idaho, was rewarded for her work in.the revision of the requisition file system, which has been adopted throughout the supply division. The efficiency of the procedure has been greatly increased, with a total saving annually in labor and materials estimated at over $14,000. Development of a clamp hose wrench, now in use in the engine installation section, brought the award to Mr.

Alaimo. Estimate of time saving was not made in regard to the wrench but it was said to enable much better work in tightening screws on hose clamps. Mr. Huish and Mr. Upright shared their award for a new type catch for cabinet doors and drawers, which replaces the commerci 4 iiN''' Many workers who have left war industries to search for what appeared to be greener pastures in postwar work are returning to their former posts, Major iohn E.

Hoover, assistant chief of civilian personnel at the San Bernardino Air Service command, has reported. "One day recently, more than 80 per cent of the personnel hired at the San Bernardino Army Air field were employes who had pre viously worked on the field and were returning, realizing that the war isn't over yet," the officer said. Contributing to the low rate of turnover at the San Bernardino Air Service command is the labor relations board. Persons who are considering leaving the field are given an opportunity to discuss their problems before the board before asking for an availability certificate. CHANGE MINDS More than one-third of those appearing before the board change their minds and stay on the war jobs, Major Hoover said.

Many clear their problems through the job counselors before considering leaving the field. Members of the board are Col. S. S. Winslow, Major J.

E. Hoover and W. A. Carney, president of the San Bernardino Army Air Field Civilian Employes association. Concerning the success of the board, C.

Bert Allen, manager of the U. S. employment service in San Bernardino, made the follow ing statement: "The labor relations board of the San Bernardino Air Service command has proven an excellent instrument in assist ing in maintaining a stable labor program in this We salute Col. J. G.

Taylor, commanding officer, and the progressive civilian personnel officials of the field for having the initiative to form such a board and for its efficiency in action. LOAD LIGHTENED "Through its activities the work load of this office has been consistently lightened and many civilian soldiers have been convinced of their responsibilities in the war program. We wish to thank the military officers and civilian personnel officials of the field for their hearty cooperation in the stabilization program. Keeping people on war jobs until total vie tory is won is now a primary aim of both the employment service and the S.B.A.S.C. personnel or ganization." Further praise for the board came from William J.

Walmsley, area director of the war man power commission, who said, "The S.B.A.S.C. labor relations board coordinating with the job counseling program has proven of great value to employer and employe alike. In this process of hearings, the employe who has possibly ill considered his severance is given the opportunity to reconsider his decision and remain in the war effort. Opinion is spreading rap idly that this practice of open hearing, free of restraint and re striction, has reestablished a fine spirit of morale. That can only result in more stabilized attend ance at duties in furtherance of the war subscribed by this section.

The quota was $1,457.74 and $1,500 was subscribed. Major P. B. Martin is now in charge of the reparable warehouse. Suzy-Q rests amid her memories at San Bernardino Army Air field.

Upper photo shows the proud flying fortress as she Is today, two years after her last death-dealing sweep against the Japs in the southwestern Pacific. Below is the list of the places she has seen and battles she has fought, painted on her proud nose. Health Program Headed by Geib Malaria Expert Gets Post at Air Field Arthur Geib, former supervisor of malaria control for California, has been named to the position of director of health education at the San Bernardino Air Service command, according to an announcement by Richard K. Pierce, S.B.A.S.C. surgeon.

Mr. Geib will assist the medical director of the industrial hygiene branch. His assignment will in clude sick leave studies and pres entation of health programs. He will be in charge of a food handling and public health course for food handlers and a health conservation course for foremen, supervisors and other employes. He succeeds Sterling Schow, who has accepted a position at the University of Idaho.

Mr. Geib, whose home is in Riverside, majored in pre-medicine at the University of Arizona, then took a post graduate, public health course at the University of California. For the past eight years he has been engaged in public health work for the state of California and for the U. S. public health service.

Miscellaneous Repair By ESTHER F. JOHNSON A miscellaneous bridal shower was held on Wednesday honoring Miss Paola Struck, clerk in wheels and brakes and superchargers, whose engagement to Clarence Yoke, of superchargers, was announced recently. The bride-to-be received many gifts. The supercharger branch was entertained at a house party recently. The war chest drive was over- ally-made catch not now available at the shop.

It is simple in construction, efficient in operation, and does not require an experienced worker for installation. There was no estimate of man-hour saving. DEVELOP WRENCH Mr. Leigh's work in developing a wrench for the recuperator piston of the 37 mm. cannon was rewarded with $10.

It formerly required two men, working with two wrenches, to adjust the recuperator piston. The new tool dispenses with the services of one worker, saving approximately 1 man-hour per week, in addition to preserving threads on the recuperator housing. A hook for lifting brake drums, now in use in the wheels and brakes unit, was devised by Mr. McElfish. It supplants the previous hand method of handling the brake drums, at an approximate saving of two man-hours per day and an additional saving in material.

Area Headquarters By JUNE HOARD Members of the control office have heard from Edna Stewart, former employee, who is now residing in Tacoma, and employed at McChord field Gladys Radmacher, of budget and fiscal, has transferred to the finance office Esther Van Mee-tren, control office, has returned from leave spent with her husband in San Bernardino and vicinity Judge Advocate Lt. Col. J. A. Ham, and First Lt.

Gladys R. Yeaman, legal assistance officer, have returned from Washington, D. where they attended a con ference of staff judge advocates There are 8,800 fluorescent lights on the San Bernardino Army Air field. Supply Division By RUTH ADKINS and DOROTHY VOYLES Mrs. Christine Giles' daughter, Diana Webb, has joined the Waves and is in training at Hunter college in New York Bernice Haws spent her vacation with her brother, Clarence, who was home on furlough, in Los Angeles and Long Beach Elizabeth Billings has been on emergency leave for several days Agnes Powell is spending a week in Alameda with her husband, who is stationed there Ingle Stephan is on several days leave Bob and Lou Jarvis and a party of 10 went horseback riding Monday night, climaxed by a spaghetti feed Mrs.

G. L. Tibbts and family have received word that their son and brother, Jimmie E. Davis, of the Marines, is in an Oakland hospital after serving overseas two years. He is expected home on furlough soon.

He will also be welcomed by his wife, Margrett, who resides in Knoxville, and 16 months old daughter, whom he has never seen. By PATRICIA COVINGTON Herbert Miller spent a three-day leave at Big Bear New employes in the receiving branch are Harriet Ware, Eleanor Salz and Hattie Smith Beauford Jones is in the hospital recovering from an emergency appendectomy Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Deaver are the proud parents of a baby daughter Harry Fallis has returned to work after an absence of two months Juanita Frazier has been appointed personnel representative for the receiving branch Lora Phiffcr has transferred from reclamation. By INA BREWER and EVA BROWN Elizabeth Klinker has returned to work in the branch 4 shipping ticket unit after a case of flu and a sprained ankle A farewell luncheon was given for Peggy Reynolds, who leaves for Jackson, to be with her husband, Cpl.

Ralph Reynolds Bertha Bates was called to Santa Barbara by illness in her family Noni Marietta, recently employed at Mira Loma, is a newcomer to branch 4 inventory Evelyn Walker has been on sick leave for several days Jeanne Harris, information clerk in branch 4, and brother, Sgt. Frank Guest, visited their sister's home in Long Beach for a family reunion while Sergeant Guest is home on furlough Bessie Dud-ly has transferred from class 15 warehouse to branch 1 La-Verne McClary is enjoying a visit to San Francis where her sailor husband, Fireman 1c Fred McClary, is stationed at Treasure island. He is a former employe in S.B.A.S.C. engine repair section. By ANNE SNYDER Iva Vena Austin, inspector, has transferred to the magneto repair unit in maintenance Patricia A.

Ruskauff, formerly employed in maintenance and sister of Kath-erine C. Ruskauff, of 1, is a Spar, training at Palm Beach, Fla. Mrs. Anna Ogden has returned to work after a week's annual leave Major J. L.

King is on detached duty at the disposal section in Los Angeles Claude C. Ritchie, assistant branch manager, has been loaned to disposal section for two weeks Mrs. Ora D. Allen spent a recent week end at a family reunion in Pomona Harold T. Jossem, from branch 1 bulk warehouse, is on annual leave visiting his family in Idaho L.

Louise Belt has been made honorary member of the 307th Signal Corps ski detachment Mrs. r.iarfv. A. Roth been made supervisor of branch 1 shipping tickets Mrs. Aaa uuinanu wm vitifml hv her dauehter.

Virginia, a former worker in branch 1, who is attending Southern camornia Bible college in Pasadena Mary Dickinson Doss has returned to work after a week's annual leave spent with her husband, Ph. M. 1c Robert H. Doss, of the Navy, in San Francisco Mrs. Bessie M.

Dudley is a new store-keener in branch 1 Mrs. Jane K. Tea has joined the packing unit in branch 1 Jean TurK celebrated her birthday Oct. 23 with her sister, Mrs. Blaine Crozuur, of North Hollywood.

Utilities By FRANCES SURDEY Anita Gamber, control branch, gave a birthday dinner Wednesday night for Phyllis Hansen, accounting branch. Hortence Painter, control branch, and Juanita Johnson, personnel Unit, were among those received 26 letters from her one day this month New employes in the utilities section include Winona R. Coats, Helen L. Carpenter, Mary E. Kinkade, Carrie M.

Ellis and Nancy Gonzales Phyllis McLain and Margaret Franzwa, personnel unit, have transferred to the engineering and accounting branches respectively Armida Ramos, control branch, has returned from a week's visit with her sister in Clarkdale, Ariz. Mrs. W. M. Callahan, sister of Jo Singleton, mail and message unit, is visiting here.

Her home is in Santa Maria Max Cheeley, real property, has taken two days annual leave to visit his daughter, here from New York Lewis A. West has been promoted from supervisor of the personnel unit to civilian chief of the administrative branch. Civilian Personnel By ANNETTE MclNTOSH The Halloween party sponsored by the employment branch on Oct. 20 at the Highland Woman's club was declared a success with a majority of those attending in cos tume. Marian Nelson, wife of Jim Nelson, transfer unit, won the prize for the most original cos tume.

She was dressed as a "zombie." Virginia Harmon, garbed as an Indian, won the prize for the4 most beautiful costume. Roy Mel-vin, civil service, was the ham burger cook. Potato salad, cider, and doughnuts were also served. A floor show was staged by mem bers of the employment branch, with Jane Corhan singing. Max Palmer proved to be one of the best dancers on the floor, specializing in waltzes.

One of the more pleasant features of the party was the introduction of Edna Kresge's son, who has returned from Eng land after completing the required number of missions. He has four oak leaf clusters and many other decorations. On Friday the classification and civilian records branch had a dance at noon. New flooring is being laid and as the desks had been moved there was enough room for dancing, with music furnished by recordings. Associated Equipment By DOROTHY M.

RICE Earl D. Terry has been ap pointed assistant superintendent of the associated equipment repair section. Willsey was appointed foreman of the general instrument repair unit to relieve H. S. Blaylock, who is now assistant branch leader, instrument repair branch.

Pauline Flaws of the electrical instrument repair unit, is away to school at the Pioneer Instrument Co. in Philadelphia. Helen Thompson is pending a two weeks' vacation with her parents in the east. The associated equipment repair section took second place honors in the recent war chest drive, under the direction of Joseph Penuelas and Helen, M. Thornton.

Wilma Hoogbruin and Connie Velasquez will leave soon to attend a course of study on the repair of office machines at Fairfield, Ohio. Evelyn Ru-taowsky will be absent for several weeks from her duties as stock tracer due to serious injuries received in an automobile accident. Ted Emm of the facilities engineer unit will leave soon for the Merchant Marine. Alan Pros-ser, general foreman of the communications unit at Hickam field, Hawaii, visited this section to study work methods and procedure of the communications branch. Maintenance By DORIS PHELPS Maintenance production control branch is looking forward to their third annual froiic to be held at the Highland Woman's clubhouse Friday, Nov.

3. Music will be provided by Al Thorne and his orchestra. In charge of arrangements are Frank Furman, refreshments; Orv Deardorff, entertainment; Ed Streeter, publicity and advertisement; Betty Lyle, tickets; Wayne Wise, music, and Bill Ryan, in charge of the door Kit Stearns' brother, Dick Gentry, of Navy medical school at Berkeley, was a visitor on the field last Tuesday Martha McNair, formerly of inspection, was married Wednesday to Lt. George W. Buck in Las Vegas and are on their way to his station at Alamogordo, N.

M. Mrs. Bonnie Widmont has returned from a month's visit with relatives in the east. There are over 14 miles of underground electric lines on the San Bernardino Army Air field. fill Suzy-Q has made her last bomb and bullet spewing sweep through the death-ridden skies of the southwestern Pacific.

More than two years ago she flew her final mission against her mortal foes, the Japs. Her bomb bays are empty and her turrets have been removed. The guns which brought down dozens of Zeros are gone. At San Bernardino Army Air field Suzy-Q is resting. The famous flying fortress probably will spend her third birthday anniversary right here, for it was on Jan.

1, 1942, that she was turned over to Major Felix Hardi-son, who was" to be her pilot on countless flaming missions. That was at Seattle, home of the Boeing aircraft plant, and her destination was the Pacific war zone, at a time when every combat plane was sorely needed. STILL SERVING In the only way of which she is capable now, Suzy-Q is still doing her bit. At the San Bernardino Air Service command schools section she is being used for rigging and structural instruction. But even the grease-smeared hands of student aircraft mechanics are reverent and J.

W. Smith, instructor in aircraft structures at the post schools, says there will be no desecration of Suzy-Q. The globe-girdling B-17 went the long way to the Pacific war theater, across the United States, across parts of South America, over the South Atlantic to Africa and on over India to Batavia, in Java. There she joined the famed 19th heavy bombardment group, which was making its fighting withdrawal through the Dutch East Indies to Australia. That was on Feb.

7, 1912, and from that point on her record is one of fiery glory. SQUADRON LEADER It wasn't long before her skipper, Major Hardison, was made a squadron leader and Suzy-Q was his flagship. Never was she turned back from a mission because of bad weather. Always she brought her crew back safe. During her nearly a year as Amazon queen of the bombers in the southwestern Pacific not a man of her crew -was killed, nor was any wounded.

But Suzy-Q was hurt. Patches on her wide wings and massive fuselage bear testimony to that. With her pitifully few sisters in the air she did her best to stem the Japanese tide. Sky ships and surface craft were all the same to her. If they bore the symbol of the rising sun the steady drone of her engines became a snarl of hate as she swept on them.

OLD ACQUAINTANCE At San Bernardino Army Air field Suzy-Q has found an old acquaintance who on at least one occasion rode in the same formation with her on a mission against Lae field, New Guinea, from Australia William E. Manners, now an in spector in San Bernardino Air Service command's flight test section, recalls the big ship affectionately. When he was a master sergeant in the 19th group he saw her many times. "That's her," he said when some doubt arose as to her authenticity after she arrived at S.B.A.S.C. and Faster Bus Service Planned for Field Bus service at the San Bernardino Army Air field is being changed to provide 15-minute serv ice everywhere except in the troop training area and area 2, which are east of the main part of the installation, according to an an nouncement by W.

D. Walter, commanding officer of field. Two buses will operate in area 1, each making a complete circuit of the area every half hour. They will be spaced 15 minutes apart. As a new service they will go by Second avenue and street and Second avenue and A street, as well as to the east end of the area.

A third bus will operate on a half hour schedule between Gate 4, the troop training area and area 2. lie was asked to help settle the question. "She joined the 19th in Java and I saw her often in Australia, although we were not in the same squadron." LED BY SUZY-Q If a man-made waibird can have memories, thoughts of many things must hover about Suzy-Q as she squats through noisy days and long quiet nights at San Bernardino Army Air field. Rabaul in New Britain was a familiar sight and Japs who were there, if any still live, must have chills as they recall the broad -winged bombers which pasted them time after time. Often in the lead was Suzy-Q with the indomitable Hardison at her controls.

Then there were Lae and Sala-maua in New Guinea, the battle of the Coral sea, and the landing of the Marines at Guadalcanal, for which she helped to provide cover. Often her missions extended more than 4,000 miles and always, except once, she came directly home. That once was a little matter of a forced landing in the bush with no damage done. But that wasn't Suzy-Q's fault. Even she couldn't fly without gasoline.

HEADS FOR HOME But even Suzy-Q had to get old. She outlived the normal active Soldier Welfare Show Nets $3,179 Check span of bombers by many months, but the time had to come when she no longer led her proud squadron. Instead she carried weary fliers to Sydney for well-earned rests. Occasionally she was used as a school ship. But before the glory faded she saw the members of her crew decorated by Major Gen.

George C. Kenney, Army Air Force chief in Australia. Suzy-Q deserved to hear the drone of her own engines in peaceful skies, so late in 1912, with her crew aboard, she started the long trip home. There were Hardison, and the co-pilot, Lt. Ellsworth Mc-Roberts, and Lt.

Albert Nice, the navigator. There were tail gunner, Sgt. John Irons and radioman Waist gunner, Orville Wright Kiger. There were others, but those were with her at the start of the epic. ADVENTURE ENDED Back to Texas, the adventure over, and little more was heard of Suzy-Q.

She still got about the country a little, but there were no more blasting bomb runs, no more chattering machine guns. And finally the other day she settled onto the runway at San Bernardino Army Air field and rolled to what may be her resting place for a long time to come. and other critical aircraft necessities. By normal reckoning, the great quantity of requisitions would take days to process. However, it wasn't a normal situation.

The crew of girls who work under Eleanor M. Patttison, supervisor of the shipping ticket unit, grasped the importance of their job when they saw certain information: most of the projects were rush orders for places prominent in the day's war news. That much was enough. No need coax the girls after that. They pitched in and typewriters rattled away.

At the end of the day, a record number of 450 shipping tickets had been prepared and sent on to the warehouses. Hours later the property was already being handled for shipment, ahead of schedule. "It was our biggest assignment yet," Eleanor says, "but all in a day's work to 'Keep 'Em Flying'." Approximately 62.2 per cent of the civilian employes of the Sart Bernardino Air Service command supply division are women. Record Shipping Job Brings Enthusiastic Worker Response Battlefront dispatches bring the war close to home for workers at San Bernardino Air Service command. Much of the supplies they ship are destined for active war theaters where "Keep 'Em Flying" soldiers are counting on "Keep Em Flying" civilians.

One day recently, an unusually large number of orders streamed into supply branch 6, which car ries metals, instruments, turrets, Old Airplane Tires To See Other Uses As another tire conservation measure the San Bernardino Air Service command plans to use old or damaged aircraft tires on certain types of vehicles, it was learned yesterday from Major Gerald M. Spurlock, sub-depot co ordinator. Tires that are no longer safe for the wear and tear of airplane use, but which can still be used on low- speed vehicles, such as carts, will be utilized, according to present plans. Mayor W. C.

Seccombe, of San Bernardino, hands check for $3,179, the proceeds of the soldiers' welfare show held recently at the Perrls Hill Park bowl, to Col. J. Q. Taylor, commanding officer of the San Bernardino Air Service command. Joseph W.

Snyder, chairman 'of the mayor's committee sponsoring the event, looks on. Proceeds will be used for recreational facilities for enlisted men..