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Post Commander during the period Camp
Atterbury was U. S. Army's Midwestern "World War II Separation
Center." Over 550,000 Army and Air Force soldiers returned to
civilian life through here.
the Franklin
Evening Star - 13 June 1945
GEN. E. A. BIXBY IS SUCCESSOR TO MODISETTE
New Commanding Officer At Camp Atterbury Is 3rd Army Veteran -- Change Wednesday
CAMP ATTERBURY. June 13 Brig. Gen. Ernest A. Bixby today assumed command of camp Atterbury succeeding Col Welton M. Modisette. who has been the camp commanding
i; officer since its inception three years ago. Gent:. I Bixby's appointment is in line with the War Department's recent
announcement that general officers would be placed in command of the Army's 22 Personnel Centers,
of which Atterbury is one.
Upon assuming command of Camp Atterbury, General Bixby extended a message of personal greeting to all the officers, enlisted personnel and civilian
employees of the post. He said: "I know that I can depend on receiving the same wholehearted support which you have always given Colonel Modisette in his successful administration of the camp. I feel confident that the same spirit of loyalty, teamwork and cooperation which has made Atterbury an outstanding military installation will continue."
The General further declared. "We each and every one of us, both military and civilian, have a big job ahead of us. Here at Camp Atterbury, we have a vital share of the war program to perform. Each individual's responsibility and privilege is to do his or her part to finish the job just as soon its possible -- speed victory and peace."
Modisette On Sick Leave
Colonel Modisette. who is on ,wk leave. has been lit ill health recently. and probably will be
physically retired from the Army. He has had nearly 33 years of service, during which time he has held many important assignments in this country and Panama. He arrived at the partially completed Camp Atterbury in May. 1942, and tinder his direction, the huge camp of 42,000 acres is recognized as one of the finest military installations in the middle-west and its efficient administration has resulted in many commendations. Col. and Mrs. Modisette. who have resided in Columbus, have a son. Maj. Welton M.
Modisette, Jr.. who is stationed in the Pacific area With the Army Air Forces.
The main activity at Atterbury now is the Personnel Center. which comprises the Reception Center for new inductees entering the service; the Special Training Unit for
illiterates and men with limited educational opportunities , who receive both academic and military training; the Reception Station, where soldiers returning from every theater are processed for furloughs before reassignment or return to their organizations; and the Separation Center, where the men receive their final discharge from the
Army.
Served In World War I
Gen. Bixby is 46 years of age and has been in the Army since 1918 when he graduated from the U. S. Military Academy. After serving with the Army of Occupation in Germany after World War I, he was stationed at Camp Taylor, Ky., for three years and spent three years in Hawaii where his 8th Field Artillery battery won the Knox Trophy, presented annually to the best artillery battery in the army.
He was oil R. O. T. C. duty at Princeton University, on reserve duty at Louisville, Ky.. on the staff and faculty at the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, and served as a field artillery instructor at West Point. After other assignments he served with the intelligence division of the General Staff and later headed the division for the
Army Ground Forces.
Holds Decorations
He was named artillery commander of the 4th Armored Division which went overseas in December 1943. trained in England and landed in Normandy oil July 17. 1944. This unit spearheaded the 3rd Army advance across France. In September he joined the 20th Division as artillery commander and was advanced to his present rank on November 11, 1944. He left the division. near Regen Germany. May 5. to return to the United States and his present assignment.
General Bixby has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Croix de Guerre with palm. the Silver Star with two oak clusters and the Bronze Star with cluster. He is married to the former Martha Robertson of Louisville, Kentucky. and .they have one son. Robert, 15 years old.
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