Newspaper Clippings
(Date shown if know) (Most of these were supplied by Walter Hammack)
(CLICK on the images for larger VIEW)

The Indianapolis News - Indianapolis, Indiana - Date Unknown

The New York Times - New York, NY. 29 August 1951

Veterans of Foreign Wars Stage Annual Parade - Members of 100-piece band from the Thirty-first Infantry National Guard, of Fort Jackson, S. C., passing review stand on Fifth Avenue.

The Fort Jackson Journal
Harry J. Collins, Major General, United States Army, Commanding

An official newspaper published bi-weekly by and for military personnel at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, under the supervision of the Troop Information and Education Officer and assistance of the Public Information Officer.  The FORT JACKSON JOURNAL uses supplementary materials from Armed Forces Press Service and the Post Public Information Office, and all materials may be re-printed without permission, provided credit-line is given.  Unless states otherwise, all photographs are by the U. S. Army Signal Corps.  Editorial views and opinions expressed in the JOURNAL are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army.  The JOURNAL accepts no paid advertising and is supported without the use of funds appropriated by Congress.
Captain A. J. Yerks, Jr. - Officer in Charge; SFC J. A. Tippin - Editor; Mr. Robert Isbell - Associate Editor

The Waco News-Tribune, Waco Texas - 20 March 1952

"Boy, What A Whale," exclaimed an excited soldier as he watched one of his company trucks swallowed by the C-124 Air Force cargo plane.  A few minutes later he and his buddies, more than 100 of them, boarded the huge transport and "stowed away" on the upper deck above the "ground floor" where the vehicles were tied down.  In Temple Wednesday morning the air-initiated doughboys grinned at the excitement they were causing by rolling their trucks and jeeps out of the nose of the four-engine plane, ready to fight if there was an aggressor around.

Maj. Gen. A. G. Paxton, serving his third hitch in the Army, which seems to interrupt his career as a cotton man every few years, is pictured inspecting Pvt. Frank Gregoria's sack lunch before the 155th Regimental Combat Team took off from Shaw AFB, South Carolina, Wednesday morning for its history making air hop to Texas.  Looking in is Lt. Joseph F. Richmond.  General Paxton took the 31st Infantry Division into federal service last January.  Originally a Mississippi-Alabama National Guard division, the present personnel is "All-American".  Practically every state in the Union is represented in the outfit as it takes part in Operation Long Horn.

You Can Bet "DIXIE" is the favorite song for these musicians - all members of the 31st Infantry Division Band.  They are shown here as they greeted members of their unit with Southern songs (mostly "Dixie") and marches at the Temple Airport Wednesday when the first troops of the 31st flew in form Shaw AFB, South Carolina, for Exercise Long Horn.  The Confederate uniforms worn by the band are furnished by the members at no expense to the government.  Music satchels on each member are covered with a miniature Confederate flag.  The band arrived in Central Texas by truck several days before the airlift from South Carolina began.

Temple Daily Telegram - Temple, Texas - 20 March 1952

All The Generals - There were nearly as many generals around Draughton-Miller field Wednesday as there were photographers and newsmen.  Here they are, left to right: Maj. Gen. A. G. Paxton, commander of the 31st Dixie Infantry Division; Maj. Gen. Miller Ainsworth, commander of the 36th National Guard Division; Maj. Gen. Hobart M. Gay, deputy commander of the Fourth Army; Maj. Gen. Edward J. Timberlake, Jr., commander of the Ninth Air Force; and Brig. Gen. Carl Phinney, assistant commander of the 36th.  General Paxton flew in with his troops. (AF photo)

Major General A. G. Paxton

1,000 Miles Away And Time For Lunch - These men of the 31st Infantry Division are disembarking from a huge C-124, the largest commercially built transport plane in the world, after a trip from Shaw AFB, S. C. They filed out, fell into formation, ate lunch at a field kitchen and were transported to the maneuver area for Exercise Long Horn which officially kicks off Tuesday.

The Indianapolis Times - 05 May 1952 -  At Camp Atterbury, Indiana

Putting Up Wire - Men from Able Co., 106th Engineer BN set up a single concertina.

Mail - Sgts. Louis B. McKinley (left) and Chalmous Watford

Command Post - Scene at the 200th Infantry headquarters

Artilleryman meets General Mark W. Clark

Confederate Tub-Thumpers - Associated pressmen Pete Henderson (r), cast a dubious eye at that confederate flag but INS bureau manager Eugene (Jep) Cadou (l) says, "It looks like the Confederacy is rising again !"  The civilian newsmen accept a large portrait of the Dixie Division's Confederate Band on behalf of the Indianapolis Press Club from Sgt. Phil Wingert (2nd from left), of the 31st Division P.I.O. and Cpl. William F. Neugebaure, formerly of the New York daily News, now overseas bound.

The Indianapolis Times - Indianapolis, Indiana - 14 June 1952

The special "Dixie Day" ceremonies here today will honor 5,000 men of the division who within weeks will be aboard ship, bound for overseas.  For 2,500 it will be Korea and the combat for which they have trained 17 months.  The others are Europe bound to preserve the peace if they can and fight if they must.

Beating The Drum - the band will "Dixie" - a dozen times.

Colors To The Front - The massed division flags will pass in review.

"R - E - A - D - Y  FRONT" - Col. George A. Haas will lead the crack 200th Infantry

Warren Times-Mirror - Warren, PA. - 21 August 1952

Nick Geracimos - Edward A. Wood

Warren Boys in Famous Dixie Band Arriving Here Tonight - Back home to Warren will come two local young men, Cpl. Nick Geracimos and Pfc. Edward A. Wood, when the famous Dixie Military Band arrives in Warren late today.  Nick is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gust N. Geracimos, 2 Canton Street, and Ed is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Wood, 103 Willoughby Avenue.  Nick is a 1945 graduate of Warren High School and graduated in 1949 from Indiana State Teacher's College.  He taught school music in Wheeler, Ore., for a year and a half and took summer courses at Columbia University toward his Master's Degree.  He was inducted into the Army in February of 1951 and assigned to the Dixie Band where he formerly played the French horn, is now assistant band leader and violin soloist.  Ed Wood is a 1946 Warren High graduate and received his BS degree at Indiana State Teacher's College in 1950.  He taught public school music for one semester and was inducted along with Geracimos, Feb. 13, 1951, and assigned to the Dixie Band then at Fort Jackson, S. C.  Wood is proficient in playing several woodwind instruments.  The clarinet is his favorite but in the past few months he has been playing oboe.  "I would like very much to have the Band play in Warren," wrote Major General A. G. Paxton, USA, commanding officer at Camp Atterbury, when first approached regarding a possible visit, "due to the fact that both Col. Geracimos and Pfc. Wood are from your city.  Both of these men are excellent musicians and have contributed to a marked degree to the success of this well-known musical organization."  Ed Wood and Nick Geracimos will be warmly greeted by their many friends in Warren.

Maj. Gen. Alexander C. Paxton, Commanding General of the 31st Infantry Division, will visit Camp Atterbury next week to map final plans for the movement' of his division here in April.

Gen. Paxton and 13 staff officer are expected to arrive sometime Tuesday (Feb. 12) for conference with Camp Atterbury officials. The group will return by air to Fort Jackson, S. C., where the 31st now is stationed, late Wednesday (Feb. 13).
The Dixie Division Commander who will be making his first visit here, will meet with Camp Atterbury officials to work out final plans for the movement of more than 78,000 men from Ft. Hood. Tex., to Camp Atterbury.

The 31st Division, a former National Guard unit from Alabama Mississippi, is scheduled to participate in Exercise Long Horn, the Army's Big Spring maneuvers neat Ft. Hood.

The war games start on March 25 and will and about April 15. The 31st will come to Camp Atterbury directly from Texas.

One of the first of the big C-124 Globemasters to arrive at the Atterbury Air Force Base Monday morning is shown above as a two and one-half ton combat wagon was being unloaded. Two of the vehicles with trailers plus a number of members of the Dixie Division were on the plane. The plane has three compartments. Beneath the vehicles are stored equipment. On the same level with the trucks, there are
seats for troops, and a metal floor swings down over the trucks providing additional facilities for carrying personnel.

Col. George A. Haas, commanding officer of the 200th Infantry Regimental Combat team. is shown above just after he stepped off a C-124 Globemaster at the Atterbury Air Force Base. His unit was the first to arrive Monday morning. "I am happy to be here," the Colonel commented, despite the cold, rainy weather.

Mass Airlift Of 9,000 Dixie Division Men, Equipment Begins;
Estimate Influx Of 20,000 Persons In Vicinity Of Atterbury

A huge, silver and red C-124 Glovemaster broke through the rain swept clouds of the Atterbury Air Base outside of Columbus Monday morning and settled down on the runway at 5:09 o'clock marking the opening of the largest 'round-the-clock mass airlift of fully-equipped troops ever undertaken by the armed forces.  When all of the men of the Dixie Division arrive with their families. it will mean an influx of an estimated 20,000 persons in this area.  The first plane to land at the Air Base was loaded with 116 men of Company "A", 200th Regimental Combat team and one jeep. A Hoosier, Lt. Col. Richard Etter, of Indianapolis, was at the controls of the first plane which was 24 minutes behind schedule. The 18th Air Force plane had left San Angelo, Texas. Air Force Base at 12:01 a.m. and made the trip without mishap.

As the morning progressed, the airlift got back on schedule, and the big planes landed at the Atterbury base at the rate of one every 15 minutes. Members of the adance party of the 31st division were on hand to unload the trucks and equipment from the planes.

Taken To Atterbury

The sun-tanned members of the Dixie division who have been on Exercise Longhorn in Texas since early March, were loaded into large buses and taken to their new home, Camp Atterbury. There they were given a hot meal, and mess halls at the center were on a 24-hour basis to serve the remainder of the
soldiers who will arrive later.  Military Police were at the key  intersections along the route to the Camp to direct traffic.

The mass airlift will continue throughout the next two days. Ninety-two planes are slated to reach here today. and 98 more will land at the Air Base on Tuesday. On the final day, 85 planes will settle down on the runways. All of the
planes making the flight will not be the big Globemasters. C-119's or "Flying Boxcars" will be used along with a number of C-46's.  A few newsmen and photographers, the advance party of the 31st division, and Air Base personnel,
were on hand Monday morning to witness the start of the airlift.

Maj. Gen. A. G. Paxton. of Greenville, Miss., commander of the Dixie division, is not scheduled to reach Hoosier soil until Tuesday. He was originally slated to be on one of the first planes of the airlift. His assistant, Brig. Gen. Eugene Ridings, is directing the airlift for the Army. 

Convoy Leaves Tuesday

Meanwhile a big motor convoy will leave Camp Bowie, Texas. on Tuesday. The last unit of the convoy is got slated to leave until. April 19.  Approximately 1960 vehicles, transporting nearly 4000 "foot weary" Dixie Division troops with
their equipment will make six scheduled stops en route to Camp Atterbury.

The motor convoys will halt at Dallas, Tex.; Texarkana, Tex.; Greenvilla, Miss.; Memphis. Tenn.: Fort Campbell and Fort Knox, Ky.  During the overnight sojourns in the bivouac cities, the 31st Division men will eat, sleep, and bivouac in the field.

Controlling the motor movement is Brigadier General James A. Lake,
Greenville, Miss.. who commanded the 31st Division Artillery units during the Exercise Long Horn.

Traveling with the first Dixie Division motor convoy leaving Texas will be the famous 31st military and concert band. This aggregation has received lavish praise for its abilities throughout the past 14 months.  General Paxton has arranged for it to play an hour concert for the citizens of the six bivouac cities on the 1,235-mile route to Camp Atterbury.

Coast-To-Coast Hookup

This will be the first year the Derby has been telecast on a coast-coast hookup. The Dixie Division band, already seen by thousands of spectators throughout the nation, will be seen by 20,000,000 to 40,000,000 Derby television viewers.

The Derby was televised nationwide last year, but hours late. The only live telecast of a Derby was in 1949 when Ponder won the Diamond Jubilee running. That telecast was confined to a local station, however, during the last 14 months the sharp, precision marching military band, dressed in its distinctive uniforms of Confederate gray and gold, has performed in the East, South and Southwest, participating in bond rallies, recruiting drives, football games and veterans' encampments

Maj. Gen. Alexander G. Paxton, commanding general of the 31st Infantry division, arrived early Tuesday afternoon at the Atterbury Air Force Base as the mass airlift of 9,000 men and equipment entered its second day.  It marked the second visit by the commander of the Dixie Division to Camp Atterbury. General Paxton was at the big training center south of here in February to make plans for the movement of the troops from Texas. He was accompanied today by his aides and a few members of his staff.  Meanwhile, the big C-124 Globemasters supplemented by "Flying Boxcars" and C-46's continued to roar over Franklin and Johnson County enroute to the base.  The planes enroute to the Atterbury Air Force Base, go north to the edge of Indianapolis, pick up a signal from a capital city airport, and then proceed to the base at the outskirts of Columbus

Refuel At Memphis

The big planes, which are making several trips from the San Angelo, Texas, Air Force Base, go directly south on their return trip. The procedure was used to provide the maximum safety for the airlift. The southbound planes do not even stay at the Atterbury base long enough to refuel, but stop at Memphis, Tenn., for the purpose before continuing on to Texas.

Ninety-two planes made the trip to the Columbus base on Monday with only minor mishaps. It was reported today that the elevator of one of the C-46's was scraped when it nudged a truck on the runway last night. No one was injured and the damage was minor.  Among those arriving last night was General Lacey V. Murrow, the 18th Air Force Officer in charge of the airlift.

Predict Better Weather

The big movement of troops and equipment by air has been slowed somewhat by unfavorable weather. Icing conditions prevailed enroute here last night, but it was not serious enough to halt operations. Air Base officers reported today that the skies are expected to clear tonight which would mean that the airlift would be speeded up.  Unless some unforeseen difficulties arise, the last planes, six C-46's will leave Texas at 12.01 a.m. Thursday.

Six thousand members of the division had reached Camp Atterbury south of here by this morning, anal 3,000 more are enroute by air. Early this morning the equipment carried by the big planes had passed the 1,000 ton mark.
Wednesday noon it was reported that the planes had completed a total of 205 flights from the San Angelo (Texas) Air Base. Clear skies were reported all of the way over the route today, which put the huge airlift back on schedule after being delayed by rain and fog.

Planes Fly Over County

Johnson county residents continued to hear the planes roar overhead as they were enroute to the Atterbury Air Force Base. Planes were landing at the base at the gate of one every 15 minutes.

Among the officials who visited the base Wednesday afternoon was Maj. Gen. Paul W. Kendal(, commanding officer of Camp Atterbury and the Sixth Corps. Gen. Lacey V. Murrow, the 18th Air Force officer in charge of the airlift, is scheduled to leave tomorrow. Maj. Gen. Alexander G. Paxton arrived at the base yesterday afternoon in the private plane of General Murrow.

Meanwhile a big convoy bringing some of the men and equipment of the 31st division is enroute north. The first elements of the convoy are slated to arrive at Camp Atterbury on Saturday, April 19.  There are 1,960 vehicles in the convoy and 4,000 troops.

The 31st which is composed of the former Mississippi and Alabama National Guard units, is taking over the area previously used by the 28th Division, now in Germany.

Despite the fact that 9.466.600 passenger miles had Been completed early this afternoon, no mishaps have occurred during the giant airlift.  Meanwhile public relations officers of the Dixie division reported Thursday afternoon that the firs: motor convoy will reach Camp Atterbury on Monday. No reports of accidents have been received to date.  The last elements of the convoy will leave Texas on Saturday.

Units of the 200th Infantry Regiment and 106th Engineer Battalion have been selected to represent the) division. Going from the 200th Infantry are L and M Companies, two squads of 4.2 mortar from the Heavy Mortar Company, and one detachment of medics from the Regimental Medical Company. The 106th Engineer Battalion is sending Company D and a Bridge Platoon from its Headquarters and Service Company.

Plan Demonstration

An entire 240-foot Treadway bridge is being transported to Kansas to be used in the bridge building demonstration. The bridge, which will support foot soldiers and all types of vehicles. tales approximately two hours to construct.

At the conclusion of the celebration approximately one-third of the personnel will continue on to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, to serve as cadre during the training of MARC and National Guard units during their summer encampments. These units hail from such Midwestern states as Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Nebraska.

The advance Dixie Division cadre will form the nucleus of the Headquarters 31st Infantry Division Task Force, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James W. Lann. They will be joined June 1 by the 932nd Field Artillery Battalion and C Company of the 198th Tank Battalion. The task force will return to Camp Atterbury September 10th.  The Fort Leavenworth group left Camp Atterbury Sunday and arrived in Kansas Tuesday.

The Dixie Division's 15-piece dance band, one of the Army's top dance bands, will provide music. Before coming to Camp Atterbury, this group. which is made up mostly of former professional musicians, played at hundreds of U.S.O. and other dances throughout the South.

Refreshments will be served throughout the evening and several special entertainment acts, including a barbershop quartet, are scheduled to perform during the dance intermissions.  The director said that Maj Gen. Alexander G. Paxton. commanding general of Camp Atterbury and the 31st Division, said he would drop in at the dance "to see how his boys are enjoying themselves."

To Visit U.S.O

Mayor L. W. Olives will he with G^n. Paxton during his visit at the dance. as well as other military, civic. and U.S.O. officials.  One of the highlights of the dance be the presentation of a rose to each girl attending. A record number of U.S.O. volunteer hostesses is expected to be on hand as well as the wives of soldiers attending.  Mr. Romanello said that the U.S.O. Will be completely redecorated for t he dance. Red, white and blue decorations, in honor of Armed Forces Day, will be placed throughout the club. Miss Nancy McMasters, t h e club's new assistant director, supervised the decoration of the club today. She was assisted by Miss Myrna Rhode, Miss Nancy Tanksley and Miss Martha Campbell, all of Franklin. 

A maximum amount of dance floor space will be made available for the Dixie Division soldiers and their dancing partners. The television room will be closed so that there will be no interference with the dance music.  Tonight Clarence Green and his G. I. Swingsters will provide music for the weekly Saturday night dance. It marks the third appearance of Green and his popular band at the U.S.O. this year. Tomorrow evening the club's weekly supper will be sponsored by the U.S.O.  Mr. Romanello announced that a new green velvet stage curtain has been installed at the U.S.O. and will he used for the first time tonight.

The parade will move off from Franklin High school promptly at 4:30 p. m. with General Paxton. Mayor Oliver, and other civic and military leaders in a convertible. Appearing in the parade will be the massed honor guard; the honor company. Company "K" of the 167th Infantry Regiment; the famed Dixie division band clad in Confederate uniforms and members of veteran's organizations. The line of march will he west on Jefferson !street to West Court and thence j around the square.

To Review Parade

An area will be roped off be the monument and the Freedom Flame where military officials. Mayor Oliver, and members of the board of the Chamber of Commerce will review the parade.  Following the parade, Mayor Olives will present the key to the city to Maj. Gen. Paxton during ceremonies in front of the court house. j Music by the Dixie Division ;band, featuring such favorites as "Dixie" and "Yankee Doodle" wili be heard during the half-hour concert beginning at 5 p. m.

At 6:30 p. m., approximately 200 persons will attend a reception for General Paxton and members of his official party at the Chateau. Toastmaster for the event will be Dr. John F. Williams. pastor of the j First Presbyterian church.  Jarvis Alexander and Erwin I. Hamke, president of the Chamber, are co-chairmen for the Armed Forces Day celebration and Chamber of Commerce Week. May 19-27. Mr. Hamke will introduce General Paxton who will extend his greetings to residents of this area on behalf of members of his command.

In Official Party
Members of the official party from Camp Atterbury who will be present for the reception include: Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Paxton: Brig. Gen. James A. Lake; Col. and Mrs. Marshall E. Bush; Lt. Col. Clinton L. Adams; Lt. Col. and Mrs. Luther B. Sibert: Lt. Col. Oscar L. Dupre; Lt. Col. Frank A. Regan; Col. George A. Haas: Col. and Mrs. Leslie L. Evans; Lt. Col. and Mrs. Ernest W. Collins; Capt. Robert B. Fain: Lt. Col. John E. Mendeville; Capt. and Mrs. Thomas E. Crane. Jr.; and 1st Lt. and Mrs. William B. Taylor. Jr.
Tickets for the reception may be obtained by the public at the Chamber of Commerce office in the Willard Hotel. Deadline for reservations is Monday noon. During the dinner. entertainment will be provided by the Special Services Office at Camp Atterbury.

Speaker's table at the reception held in the Chateau under the sponsorship of the Chamber of Commerce.  l-r are Col. George A. Hass; Col. L. L. Evans; Erwin Hamke, president of the Chamber; Jarvis Alexander, co-chairman for the observance; Maj. Gen. Alexander G. Paxton, commanding officer of Camp Atterbury; Dr. John F. Williams, toastmaster; Col. M. E. Bush; Mayor L. W. Oliver; and Lt. Col. Thomas Taylor.

Mayor Oliver is shown presenting the key to the city to General Paxton following the parade by the Dixie Division band.

U. S. O. reception.

Parade, Concert Highlights of City Observance
Despite overcast skies, a large crowd lined the streets of Franklin )ate Monday afternoon as the Dixie division band paraded through the business district for the opening feature of the Armed Forces Day celebration here.
The 102-piece band, clad in Confederate uniforms gave an impressive performance of marching and martial music. Leading the parade, which started at - Franklin High School and ended at the court house square, were two Military Policemen on motorcycles. They were the escort for Major General and Mrs. Alexander G. Paxton and Mayor L. W. Oliver who rode in the Franklin police cur.
Band Performs
Then came the grey-clad 31st division band playing "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Dixie" and "Back Home Again in Indian" as they marched through the downtown area led by their mascot, a tan Cocker Spaniel.
Following the band was an American Legion Post 205 color guard and the honor company, Company "K" of the 167th Infantry regiment. A massed color guard from the 31st division was also in the line of march.
The group halted in front of the court house where the band played several marching tunes.
Mayor L. W. Oliver presented General Paxton with the key to the City of Franklin in short ceremonies an official car.
Enjoy Concert
The band then marched back to the High School gym for a concert.
Approximately 500 people crowded into the gym to hear the concert under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Miller, United States Army band leader.
"The Mississippi Suite" was the first number on the program by the Southerners.
Special arrangements of music from the movie, "Wizard of Oz," including "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," were played by the large group.
Also on the program was music by Cole Porter, including "I've Got You Under My Skin," four American folk songs, "On The Trail" from the "Grand Canyon Suite," "Truly Fair." "Dixie," "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Back Home Again In Indiana."
The concert was very well-received by the audience.

"Honky Tonk Baby, Come Along With Me . . . ."

Sound familiar? It's one of the leading songs on the juke boxes.  If it doesn't ring a bell with you. there's at least one Atterbury soldier who knows the lyric well. He's Lt. Sidney L. (Hardtack) Gunter of the 31st Division. who wrote and recorded the song for Decca Records.
"Honky Tonk Baby" is Lt. Gunter's seventh Decca Record, and he's hoping it will turn out to be a "pop" disc-that is a song that starts out as a hillbilly piece and goes on to land on the nation's Hit Parade of popular music.
"Cold. Cold Heart," "Tennessee Waltz," and many other popular songs started out as country songs and wound up on the Hit Parade.
"Hardrock", that's the name he uses in the entertainment field and it appears that way on the labels of his Decca Records-is no stranger to Camp Atterbury. He was stationed here during World War II and then went overseas with the 106th Division.

Held By Nazis
He later was captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge and spent four ninths in a Nazi prisoner of war camp.  Lt. Gunter has been singing professionally ever since he was 12. It wasn't until several years ago. however, that he hit the big time. He wrote "Birmingham Bounce" and it was a hit tune during the summer of 1950, Twenty-one funds and 'name' singers, including Red Foley, Tex Williams, Pee Wee King, Tommy Dorsey and Lionel Hampton, made recordings of Gunter's song.
Impressed by the showing of this song, Decca signed him to a recording contract in January, 1950. He has done all of his recording for Decca while on three-day passes. Ife drives to Memphis, Tenn., home W country-style music, to make his records.
Lt. Gunter wrote "Honky Tonk Baby," which is the leading disc in Atterbury juke boxes, while in Convoy from the Texas maneuvers to Atterbury. "I'm looking For Another You" is on the back of this disc.
Before coming into the Army Gunter conducted two early-morning hillbilly music programs on Birmingham Radio Station WAPI had a 30-minute television show on TV each day and sang in a leading Birmingham restaurant six nights a week.

CAMP ATTERBURY. June 12. June 14th; "Dixie Day" at Camp Atterbury, is expected to bring out an even larger crowd than the near 10.000 civilians and soldiers who visited the post on Armed Forces Day last month. This time the public will not only get a chance to see some of the latest military equipment like the battery operated mine detector shown above, but will also witness the first full-scale review of the Dixie Division in over a year. Nearly 11.000 men will march in the review and the Dixie Division's famed Confederate gray-clad 102 piece marching band will provide the music. The military equipment display will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the review will begin at 2 p.m. - U. S. Army Photo.

Dixie Day this year will coincide with the 177th birthday of the United States Army. Honored in will he the 5,000 men of the division soon to leave Camp Atterbury for overseas assignments.  Featured during the review wiIl be the Dixie Division's famed Confederate Gray-Clad marching band which will spark the proceedings the fine playing which has won it national acclaim.
Plan Demonstration
A company of Aggressor troops commanded by Lt. Sidney Gunter will be an added feature of the review. The Aggressors will be made up of 33 men from each of the Infantry regiments.
The review, open to the public, will begin at 2;00 p.m. on the Atterbury Air Strip.
Along with the Division Review will be a repeat performance of fl-' "miniature combat division display of military equipment which drew nearly 10,000 spectators on Armed Forces Day last month.
Military equipment valued at more than $2,000.000, including every type of weapon used by an infantry division in combat, will be displayed.
The miniature combat division set up by the 31st will include exhibits by the division's infantry, artillery quartermaster, engineer, medical, signal, tank, ordnance and chaplain's units.
Civilians will see how an infantry division operates when it is in combat. They will get a close-up look at every infantry weapon, ranging I from small .45 caliber automatic pistols to medium tanks and will be allowed to operate walkie-talkie radio sets, field telephones, switchboards, and other types of communications equipment.
A complete field kitchen will be in ' operation and members of two in' Panty companies will eat two meals at the exhibit.
To Show Chapel
A field chapel, consisting of altar vestments and ornaments mounted on the front of a jeep, will be set up by the Dixie Division Chaplain Section. By using a jeep as an altar a Chaplain can bring religious services to the men whenever they are in the field or in combat.
A major attraction of the day will be the actual operation of the "eager beaver" jeep which operates under water by use of a Snorkel breathing type device. A jeep will be submerged in a water-filled tank for the demonstration.
A demonstration by the Division's Air Section will show how messages are relayed and packages picked up from ground units.
In addition, a medical aid station of the type used for emergency treatment of wounded soldiers and a bridge construction demonstration will be included in the colorful display.
The camp will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and the band will play at intervals.

Assistant Secretary of the Army Fred Korth is shown above as
prepared to "troop the line" during the review of the 31st Infantry
division Saturday at Camp Atterbury.-U. S. Army Photograph.

CAMP ATTERBURY. .June 16-An estimated 10.000 persons including Assistant Secretary of the Army Fred Korth and Fifth Army Commander Maj. Gen. A. C. Smith witnessed the first review of the 31st division since coming to Indiana which was held Saturday afternoon at Camp Atterbury.
Drizzling rain threatened to a damper on the Open House amt Division review staged for the public. At 10 a.m. the clouds broke in time for the arrival at Atterbury Air Force Base of an Air Force Constellation from Washington containing a score of Congressmen enroute to the festivities.
Major General Smith, commander of the Filth Army, flew into Atterbury from Chicago to review the combat-trained, precision marching ; troops of the former Alabama-Mississippi National Guard Division. 
Other notables to arrive to witness the first full-scale review of the 31st Division in over a year were Senator Homer Capehart, (R) Ind.; Lieutenant Governor John Watkins; Representative Frank Boykin, (D.), Ala.; and Assistant Secretary of the Army, Fred Korth.
This year "Dixie Day." which coincided with the 177th anniversary of the United States Army. was celebrated by the Dixie Division with an Open House featuring over $2,000,000 worth of military equipment and a review in which 14.000 men of the 31st marched.
The hand was the first unit to break (mm the massed formation of the division and pass the reviewing stand in the afternoon. From 10 a.m., when the Open House began, until 5 p.m. the visitors took advantage of free jeep rides to look over the camp and visit the equipment display located near the entrance of the camp.
Guests At Luncheon
After arriving at the camp the special guests of Major General A. G. Paxton. Dixie Division commander, were treated to a luncheon at the Post Officers Club and were entertained by one of the division's dance bands.
Along with the review was a repeat performance of the "miniature combat division" display in which every type of weapon used bye an infantry division in combat was exhibited.
The miniature division showcase was augmented by weapons and equipment of supporting units such as artillery, quartermaster, engineer medical, signal, tank and ordnance.
Civilians got a close up look at every infantry weapon ranging from the small 45 caliber automatic pistol to medium tanks and delighted in the novelty of being allowed to operate walkie-talkie radio sets, field phones, switchboards and other types of communications equipment.
Field Kitchens Used
Two infantry companies took to the field to show how the Army feeds its fighters outdoors.
A field chapel, consisting of al- j tar vestments and ornaments
mounted on the front of a jeep, was I set up by the Division Chaplains Section. By using a jeep as an altar, a chaplain can bring religious services to men in the field.
The operation of an "eager beaver" jeep-one that operates under water by use of a Snorkel breathing type device-drew major attention. For the demonstration, a jeep was submerged in a water filled tank.
A demonstration by the division's Air Section showed how message are relayed and packages picked up from .ground units.
In addition, a medical aid station of the type used for emergency treatment of wounded soldiers and a bridge construction demonstration were included in the colorful, day-long display.
Dignitaries Present
Special guests of Maj. Gen. Paxton for the "Dixie Day" luncheon and review included the following:
Assistant Secretary of the Army, Mr. Fred Korth; Major General A. G. Smith. Fifth Army Commander; Major General William P. Wilson. Adjutant General of Mississippi,' representing Governor of Mississippi; Honorable John L. Goodwyn, Judge, AIR. Supreme Court, representing Governor of Alabama; Honorable John A. Watkins. Lt. Gov. of Indiana. representing Governor of Indiana; Colonel N. C. Pilet. Chi-f of Staff. VI Corps; Colonel Collins S. Myers, Chief of Staff. Camp Atterbury; Colonel Harold A. Doherty CO, Indiana Military District; Colonel George A. Duerr, Chief o: Information, Fifth Army; Colonel William S. Pocock, Jr. CO., Atterbury Air Force Base; Colonel Halada, Asst. Chief of Staff. VI Corps; Colonel 11. W. Dean.
Post Surgeon. Camp Atterbury, Lieut. Col. Cleary. Aide to Asst. See of Army. Fred Korth; Lieut. Wilson. Aide de Camp to Major General A. C. Smith. Army Commander; Don Compton, civilian aide to Major (:, General A. C. Smith, Army Commander I-ion. Homer S. Capehart, Senator, Indiana; Hon. William M. Calmer. Member of Congress Mississippi: Hon. Frank W. Boykin, Member of Congress. Alabama Dave Battle, brother of lion. Laurie C. Battle, Member of Congress, Alabama; Thomas A. Young. Leg. Liaison Office, Department of Army. Pentpgon; Willie B. Lawrence. Leg. Liaison Office, Department of Army, Pentagon; Hon. Carl Elliott, Alabama; Hon. Frank R. Smith, Mississippi; and J. M. Smith. representing Honorable Abernathy. Mississippi.

Franklin Evening Star - 24 July 1952

"Ginger," the mascot of the famous 31st Infantry band is shown above with members of the organization before his disappearance. He is scheduled to appear with the band at the Johnson county 4-H fair, but unless he is located he will miss the Fair as well as the trip to New York City. When the band played here for the Chamber of Commerce celebration honoring the division and its commander,
the dog made a big "hit" with local spectators during the parade through the business district.
 
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind., July 24-"Have you seen our dog'?" is the appeal of members of the 31st Division's famous Confederate gray clad 102-piece band and CWO Daniel Miner, director.  Last Monday, "Ginger," as the band's mascot is called, went for his morning stroll and still hasn't returned. An anonymous call Monday afternoon reported that he was seen at the north end of camp but a search failed to locate him.
"Ginger" is allowed to run as he pleases, and when he goes too far, someone calls about his presence in their area. However, he isn't wearing his collar and identification tags as he usually does.
Scheduled for Trip
The blond cocker spaniel is scheduled to accompany the Dixie Division Band when it journeys to New York next month for the annual American Legion convention.  "Ginger" was presented to members of the bared while enroute to Texas and Exercise Long Horn by the Chief of Police in Meridian, Miss.
PFC Herman Gorelick, custodian of the mascot, requests that anyone who has seen the dog or has any knowledge of its whereabouts, call Atterbury extension 808.
When he learned of "Ginger's" disappearance, Maj. Gen. A. G. Paxton, 31st Division and post commander, added his appeal for the mascot's return.
To date "Ginger" has accompanied the band at all of its public appearances. Members of the band would like him to see "the big city."