DELAWARE JOURNAL OF MILITARY HISTORY Volume One, Number One Anti-Aircraft Artillery at Bethany Beach TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Welcome from our Publisher
Our Feature Article: Artillery at Bethany Beach, by Michael Morgan
"Bethany Beach has been utilized by the regiment for its annual camp since 1927, and its location has distinct
advantages in many respects. All firing can be conducted from state-owned land over water areas directly in front of
positions with a minimum interference from marine traffic.”
Image of the quarter: It’s a dog’s life
“The only coyote mascot in the U.S. Army”
Delaware Profile: LTG John “Iron Mike” O’Daniel ,
by Brig. Gen. (DE Ret) Kennard Wiggins
Lt Gen John W. “Iron Mike” O’Daniel was a native son of Newark Delaware who went on to lead one of the most
distinguished and accomplished military careers in American history. He was an athlete, a teacher, a warrior, an
accomplished leader, and a distinguished diplomat. O’Daniel was short of stature (five foot six inches) an outspoken,
doughty, jut-jawed, gravel-voiced, two-fisted, combat leader of men through three major wars spanning a forty year
career. His motto was, “sharpen your bayonet”.
From the Delaware Military History Museum Archives:
A report by Herbert M.Hazzard, 1st Lt., 142nd Ftr SQ (SE), Historian circa fall 1949:
Delaware Air National Guard September 1949 and Summer Encampment 13-27 August 1949. A very eventful time for
the nascent Squadron and this short report neatly summarizes the period.
Recent Museum Acquisition: The William A. Smith Collection
Questions without answers -Articles Solicited
Our Feature Article: Artillery at Bethany Beach, by Michael Morgan
"Bethany Beach has been utilized by the regiment for its annual camp since 1927, and its location has distinct
advantages in many respects. All firing can be conducted from state-owned land over water areas directly in front of
positions with a minimum interference from marine traffic.”
Image of the quarter: It’s a dog’s life
“The only coyote mascot in the U.S. Army”
Delaware Profile: LTG John “Iron Mike” O’Daniel ,
by Brig. Gen. (DE Ret) Kennard Wiggins
Lt Gen John W. “Iron Mike” O’Daniel was a native son of Newark Delaware who went on to lead one of the most
distinguished and accomplished military careers in American history. He was an athlete, a teacher, a warrior, an
accomplished leader, and a distinguished diplomat. O’Daniel was short of stature (five foot six inches) an outspoken,
doughty, jut-jawed, gravel-voiced, two-fisted, combat leader of men through three major wars spanning a forty year
career. His motto was, “sharpen your bayonet”.
From the Delaware Military History Museum Archives:
A report by Herbert M.Hazzard, 1st Lt., 142nd Ftr SQ (SE), Historian circa fall 1949:
Delaware Air National Guard September 1949 and Summer Encampment 13-27 August 1949. A very eventful time for
the nascent Squadron and this short report neatly summarizes the period.
Recent Museum Acquisition: The William A. Smith Collection
Questions without answers -Articles Solicited
Welcome from our Publisher
We are very pleased to present our premier issue of the Delaware Journal of Military History. This quarterly journal is an
expression of the vision of the Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation.
"The Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation Inc., collects and preserves material evidence associated
with Delaware related military units and individuals of the uniformed services of the State and the United States, and
interprets it so that coming generations will understand the values of courage, loyalty and responsibility that inspire such
service."
This publication will serve that vision by educating and informing Delaware citizens of their military heritage. It invites
participation by all, and welcomes additional discussion. We encourage our readers to contribute by contacting us at
Milheritage@aol.com, or writing to us at First Regiment Road, Wilmington DE 19808.
We hope you enjoy this publication. It is our endeavor to bring something to light that was previously unknown, to bring
understanding where there was confusion, and to bring the pleasure of discovery to our readers.
Artillery Rattles Bethany Beach
By Michael Morgan
During the final weeks of World War I, the battleship Minnesota steamed steadily along the Delaware coast between
Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. On Sept. 29, 1918, an explosion ripped through the ship's hull and only by the
speedy action of the crew of the warship was the Minnesota able to limp back to Philadelphia. The military authorities
quickly concluded that the American warship had been severely damaged by a mine planted by a German submarine.
Several days later, the cargo ship Saetia was not so lucky. When the Saetia struck a mine off Fenwick Island, the ship
sank within minutes.
The damage to the Minnesota and the destruction of the Saetia raised the specter that in the next war the Delaware coast
might come under direct attack by enemy forces, and the American military authorities were prompt to react. To meet a
possible attack on Rehoboth, Bethany Beach and other Delaware seaside communities, the 198th Coast Artillery of the
Delaware National Guard was organized as a complete anti-aircraft regiment. Drawing upon veterans from the 59th
Pioneer Infantry who fought in World War I, and the old Delaware 1st Infantry Regiment, the 198th gained its federal
recognition in July 1921.
For most of the year, the soldiers drilled in state armories where they practiced coordinating the simulated firing of the
gun batteries, tracking miniature targets and the operation of miniature searchlights from the armory drill floor. For the
machine-gun battalion, the training included tracking and simulated firing on a miniature target under target-practice
conditions. In addition to their armory drill, the 198th traveled once a year to Bethany Beach for two weeks of drill and
live firing under realistic coastal conditions.
In the 1920s, Bethany Beach was only a small collection of cottages with a few dozen permanent residents. Most
vacationers reached the resort by using the railroad to Rehoboth Beach, where they boarded a small boat for the trip
through the coastal bays and down the canal to the Loop near the center of Bethany, where they could disembark for the
short walk to the beach cottages. The completion of the Du Pont Highway in the early 1920s helped spur the
construction of additional hard-surfaced roads in southern Delaware. As Delaware roads improved, more and more
motorists began to drive down narrow Route 26 through Millville and Ocean View to Bethany Beach.
Despite the improvements in Delaware roads, a fully-equipped regiment took its time as it crawled across Sussex County
to Bethany Beach. In 1929, the 213th Coastal Artillery Regiment, based at Reading, Pa., traveled to Bethany Beach in a
convoy of trucks, trailers, motorcycles, and cars. It took this unit, (similar in size to the 198th and containing over 750
soldiers), five hours to travel from Milford to Bethany.
National Guard Encampment Bethany Beach 1935
When a National Guard regiment settled into its encampment on the north edge of the resort near Salt Pond, the throng
of several hundred soldiers dwarfed the town's permanent population. Unlike those who came to enjoy the surf and sand,
the National Guard arrived in Bethany to drill under conditions that they might encounter during the next war.
The Coast Artillery Journal reported: "Bethany Beach has been utilized by the regiment for its annual camp since 1927,
and its location has distinct advantages in many respects. All firing can be conducted from state-owned land over water
areas directly in front of positions with a minimum interference from marine traffic. The 3-inch guns conducted their
practices from a position about four miles from the camp area, while the machine guns were emplaced in a beach
position in front of a discontinued Coast Guard station. Therefore it was possible, with two towing planes available, for
gun and machine-gun units to fire at the same time without interfering with each other."
Once the 198th arrived at its encampment, the regiment got down to the serious business of setting up its guns and
conducting live firings. On days when a section of the unit was firing, it was relieved of the routine camp activities so
that it could devote an entire day at a time to training at the gun positions. Consequently, most of the firings were held
late in the day when light and visibility were at their best. The firings of the three antiaircraft guns and the 32 Browning
machine guns created quite a racket that echoed over the dunes. During the night firings, the regiment's three
anti-aircraft searchlights provided an eerie glow accompanying the cacophony of the guns.
After the gun crews had been drilled with their weapons, the soldiers practiced firing at a target towed by a plane. In
addition, the machine-gun units trained by firing at free-floating balloons. After the firings were completed, the targets
were collected and holes were counted to determine gunners' accuracy.
In 1939, the outbreak of war in Europe made training at Bethany Beach especially intense and the members of the
Delaware unit demonstrated that they were one of the best-trained regiments in the National Guard. The Coast Artillery
Journal reported: "The announcement that the 198th Coast Artillery (AA), Delaware National Guard, has been awarded
the U.S. Coast Artillery Association trophy for 1939 comes as welcome news to the officers and men of the National
Guard of the little 'Diamond State.' Ever since 1934, when the 198th won this trophy for the first time in its history, the
regiment has striven to repeat this signal accomplishment. In great measure, the award serves to recompense the 198th
for the extended effort made necessary since last fall by the president's limited emergency proclamation, whereby the
National Guard has been called on to assume an added load in organization and training."
When the country entered World War II, Fort Miles was constructed at Cape Henlopen. Armed with guns that could
reach enemy warships off Bethany Beach, Fort Miles became the primary defender of the Delaware coast. Today, the
obsolete spotting towers for the big guns at Fort Miles stand amid the dunes, but the National Guard continues to
maintain its facility at Bethany Beach so that its soldiers will be ready to meet any threat to the Delaware coast.
This article first appeared in "The Wave".
Michael Morgan taught high school history for 32 years and holds a master's degree in history from Morgan State
University. He may be reached at spinway@aol.com.
We are very pleased to present our premier issue of the Delaware Journal of Military History. This quarterly journal is an
expression of the vision of the Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation.
"The Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation Inc., collects and preserves material evidence associated
with Delaware related military units and individuals of the uniformed services of the State and the United States, and
interprets it so that coming generations will understand the values of courage, loyalty and responsibility that inspire such
service."
This publication will serve that vision by educating and informing Delaware citizens of their military heritage. It invites
participation by all, and welcomes additional discussion. We encourage our readers to contribute by contacting us at
Milheritage@aol.com, or writing to us at First Regiment Road, Wilmington DE 19808.
We hope you enjoy this publication. It is our endeavor to bring something to light that was previously unknown, to bring
understanding where there was confusion, and to bring the pleasure of discovery to our readers.
Artillery Rattles Bethany Beach
By Michael Morgan
During the final weeks of World War I, the battleship Minnesota steamed steadily along the Delaware coast between
Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. On Sept. 29, 1918, an explosion ripped through the ship's hull and only by the
speedy action of the crew of the warship was the Minnesota able to limp back to Philadelphia. The military authorities
quickly concluded that the American warship had been severely damaged by a mine planted by a German submarine.
Several days later, the cargo ship Saetia was not so lucky. When the Saetia struck a mine off Fenwick Island, the ship
sank within minutes.
The damage to the Minnesota and the destruction of the Saetia raised the specter that in the next war the Delaware coast
might come under direct attack by enemy forces, and the American military authorities were prompt to react. To meet a
possible attack on Rehoboth, Bethany Beach and other Delaware seaside communities, the 198th Coast Artillery of the
Delaware National Guard was organized as a complete anti-aircraft regiment. Drawing upon veterans from the 59th
Pioneer Infantry who fought in World War I, and the old Delaware 1st Infantry Regiment, the 198th gained its federal
recognition in July 1921.
For most of the year, the soldiers drilled in state armories where they practiced coordinating the simulated firing of the
gun batteries, tracking miniature targets and the operation of miniature searchlights from the armory drill floor. For the
machine-gun battalion, the training included tracking and simulated firing on a miniature target under target-practice
conditions. In addition to their armory drill, the 198th traveled once a year to Bethany Beach for two weeks of drill and
live firing under realistic coastal conditions.
In the 1920s, Bethany Beach was only a small collection of cottages with a few dozen permanent residents. Most
vacationers reached the resort by using the railroad to Rehoboth Beach, where they boarded a small boat for the trip
through the coastal bays and down the canal to the Loop near the center of Bethany, where they could disembark for the
short walk to the beach cottages. The completion of the Du Pont Highway in the early 1920s helped spur the
construction of additional hard-surfaced roads in southern Delaware. As Delaware roads improved, more and more
motorists began to drive down narrow Route 26 through Millville and Ocean View to Bethany Beach.
Despite the improvements in Delaware roads, a fully-equipped regiment took its time as it crawled across Sussex County
to Bethany Beach. In 1929, the 213th Coastal Artillery Regiment, based at Reading, Pa., traveled to Bethany Beach in a
convoy of trucks, trailers, motorcycles, and cars. It took this unit, (similar in size to the 198th and containing over 750
soldiers), five hours to travel from Milford to Bethany.
National Guard Encampment Bethany Beach 1935
When a National Guard regiment settled into its encampment on the north edge of the resort near Salt Pond, the throng
of several hundred soldiers dwarfed the town's permanent population. Unlike those who came to enjoy the surf and sand,
the National Guard arrived in Bethany to drill under conditions that they might encounter during the next war.
The Coast Artillery Journal reported: "Bethany Beach has been utilized by the regiment for its annual camp since 1927,
and its location has distinct advantages in many respects. All firing can be conducted from state-owned land over water
areas directly in front of positions with a minimum interference from marine traffic. The 3-inch guns conducted their
practices from a position about four miles from the camp area, while the machine guns were emplaced in a beach
position in front of a discontinued Coast Guard station. Therefore it was possible, with two towing planes available, for
gun and machine-gun units to fire at the same time without interfering with each other."
Once the 198th arrived at its encampment, the regiment got down to the serious business of setting up its guns and
conducting live firings. On days when a section of the unit was firing, it was relieved of the routine camp activities so
that it could devote an entire day at a time to training at the gun positions. Consequently, most of the firings were held
late in the day when light and visibility were at their best. The firings of the three antiaircraft guns and the 32 Browning
machine guns created quite a racket that echoed over the dunes. During the night firings, the regiment's three
anti-aircraft searchlights provided an eerie glow accompanying the cacophony of the guns.
After the gun crews had been drilled with their weapons, the soldiers practiced firing at a target towed by a plane. In
addition, the machine-gun units trained by firing at free-floating balloons. After the firings were completed, the targets
were collected and holes were counted to determine gunners' accuracy.
In 1939, the outbreak of war in Europe made training at Bethany Beach especially intense and the members of the
Delaware unit demonstrated that they were one of the best-trained regiments in the National Guard. The Coast Artillery
Journal reported: "The announcement that the 198th Coast Artillery (AA), Delaware National Guard, has been awarded
the U.S. Coast Artillery Association trophy for 1939 comes as welcome news to the officers and men of the National
Guard of the little 'Diamond State.' Ever since 1934, when the 198th won this trophy for the first time in its history, the
regiment has striven to repeat this signal accomplishment. In great measure, the award serves to recompense the 198th
for the extended effort made necessary since last fall by the president's limited emergency proclamation, whereby the
National Guard has been called on to assume an added load in organization and training."
When the country entered World War II, Fort Miles was constructed at Cape Henlopen. Armed with guns that could
reach enemy warships off Bethany Beach, Fort Miles became the primary defender of the Delaware coast. Today, the
obsolete spotting towers for the big guns at Fort Miles stand amid the dunes, but the National Guard continues to
maintain its facility at Bethany Beach so that its soldiers will be ready to meet any threat to the Delaware coast.
This article first appeared in "The Wave".
Michael Morgan taught high school history for 32 years and holds a master's degree in history from Morgan State
University. He may be reached at spinway@aol.com.
Image of the Quarter: “It’s a dog’s life”
This is a postcard image circa 1916 from the Delaware Military Museum collection. It depicts “Villa” presumably
named after the Mexican Bandito Francisco “Pancho” Villa, the object of a punitive expedition led by General
“Black” Jack Pershing aided by Delaware National Guardsmen guarding the border at Deming New Mexico. The
legend says that “Villa” is the mascot of the Delaware troops, said to be the only Coyote mascot in the U.S. Army
This is a postcard image circa 1916 from the Delaware Military Museum collection. It depicts “Villa” presumably
named after the Mexican Bandito Francisco “Pancho” Villa, the object of a punitive expedition led by General
“Black” Jack Pershing aided by Delaware National Guardsmen guarding the border at Deming New Mexico. The
legend says that “Villa” is the mascot of the Delaware troops, said to be the only Coyote mascot in the U.S. Army
Lt Gen John W. “Iron Mike” O’Daniel was a native son of
Newark Delaware who went on to lead one of the most
distinguished and accomplished military careers in American
history. He was an athlete, a teacher, a warrior, an accomplished
leader, and a distinguished diplomat. O’Daniel was short of
stature (five foot six inches) an outspoken, doughty, jut-jawed,
gravel-voiced, two-fisted, combat leader of men through three
major wars spanning a forty year career. His motto was,
“sharpen your bayonet”. In his memoirs, Eisenhower called him
“one of our outstanding combat soldiers”. The press likened him
to General Patton for his strong personal opinions and his
fearless demeanor, as well as his dash and daring in moving the
Third Infantry across the European Theater of Operations.
Lieutenant General John Wilson (Iron Mike) O’Daniel, U.S. Army
By Brig. Gen. Kennard R. Wiggins Jr. (DE ANG Ret)
By Brig. Gen. Kennard R. Wiggins Jr. (DE ANG Ret)
John Wilson O’Daniel was born in Newark Delaware February 15, 1894. He graduated from high school at Oxford
Pennsylvania in 1912 and attended Delaware College in Newark Delaware, where he played varsity football and earned
the nickname “Mike”. . He enlisted in the Delaware National Guard in 1913 with Company E, 1st Delaware Infantry.
In July 19, 1916 he was mobilized, and served as a corporal and sergeant with the First Infantry at the Mexico border
in Deming New Mexico. He was honorably discharged from service on his 23rd birthday, February 15, 1917.
After graduation from Delaware College in 1917 he was commissioned a second lieutenant of the Infantry Reserve on
August 15 at Reserve Officers Training Camp at Fort Meyer Virginia. He received his regular commission on October
26 and was assigned to the 11th Infantry at Camp Forrest Tennessee.
He shipped out for overseas duty and participated in the St. Mihiel and Neuse –Argonne offensives. He was wounded
at St. Mihiel September 12, 1918. Testifying to his endurance and aggressiveness in battle was his nickname, “Iron
Mike”, awarded by his peers, said to be a result of his actions at St. Mihiel, where he fought for twelve hours, even
though he was hit in the face by a German machine gun bullet and severely wounded. He was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross for his actions as well as the Purple Heart. He returned to the United States with the 11th
Infantry on September 1919 and was transferred to the 25th Infantry at Camp Stephen D. Little Nogales Arizona.
General O’Daniel became an Infantry instructor with the New Jersey National Guard at Trenton in May 1924. In
September 1927 he entered the Infantry School at Fort Benning Georgia and was graduated in May 1928. He was
transferred in July 1928 to the 21st Infantry at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and in January 1930 was placed in
command of the Military Police Detachment of the Hawaiian Department at Fort Schafter. In October 1931 he joined
the 12th Infantry at Fort Howard Maryland.
In the 1930’s with the country locked in Depression, General O’Daniel undertook a series of assignments that
departed from traditional military roles. In May 1933, General O’Daniel became assistant to the Officer in Charge of
the Port of Embarkation at New York City for the Pilgrimage of War Mother and Widows. From September to
November 1933, he was on Civilian Conservation Corps duty at Smokemont, North Carolina and then was assigned to
the 22nd Infantry at Fort Oglethorpe Georgia. In July 1934 he was appointed Army liaison officer with the Tennessee
Valley Authority. In March 1935 he became adjutant of District “D” of the Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort
McClellan, Alabama. He was named Executive Officer of District “D” in July 1935 earning advancement to Major in
August, and a year later he became Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the Academy of Richmond County at
Augusta Georgia.
General O’Daniel entered the Command and Staff School at Fort Leavenworth Kansas in September and was
graduated in June 1939. He was then assigned to Fort Brady Michigan as an instructor of the Citizen’s Military
Training Camp and Officer’s Reserve Corps. In August 1939 he became branch instructor in the Michigan Military
Area with headquarters in Detroit.
In January 1941 he became commander of the Second Battalion, 24th Infantry at Fort Benning with which he
participated in the Third Army maneuvers in Louisiana – a critical test of logistical and combat capabilities for the later
fighting in World War II. At the onset of World War II, in December 1941 he was promoted to Colonel and became
Assistant Chief of Staff for operations of the Third Army and Director of the Junior Officers Training Center in San
Antonio, Texas. In June 1942 he was named Operations Officer of the Amphibious Training Center at Camp
Edwards Massachusetts.
In July 1942 General O’Daniel was transferred to Allied Force Headquarters in Europe as Commander of the
American Invasion Training School in the British Isles. General Mark W. Clark said at the time of preparation for the
African and Italian programs:
“I selected Colonel Mike O’Daniel to head our amphibious training program. The Colonel had been with me in World
War I when I commanded Company K of the 11th Infantry Regiment in the Argonne. After I was wounded by
shrapnel there, Mike took over command and by his gallant conduct on the field of battle won the Distinguished
Service Cross. He recently had headed up amphibious and commando training at Ground Forces Headquarters in
Washington.”
In September 1942 he assumed command of the 168th Infantry in the North African theater and led that unit on
November 8-9 in the capture of Algiers. He was also rewarded with his first star on the 20th of November. In
December 1942, he was assigned to organize the Fifth Army Invasion Training Center in Africa which trained the
forces for the landings in Sicily and Salerno.
Once more, as in North Africa, Brigadier General John W. O’Daniel of Newark Delaware was singled out by General
Mark Clark during the Salerno landing as one man he could always depend upon. Clark declared that a good
beachmaster was the first essential at a landing operation, and that he had one of the best in “Mike” O’Daniel, that he
(O’Daniel) soon molded a traffic system out of chaos, and thus surmounted the first serious crisis.
General O’Daniel in June 1943 was named Deputy Commander of the Third Infantry with whom he landed in Sicily.
On July 24 1943 he returned to Algiers and was attached to the 36th Division for the Salerno landings. Although not
required to do so, he chose to land with the troops at Salerno. He became officer in charge of amphibious operations
for the Fifth Army on October 1, 1943 and the following month was reassigned as Assistant Commander of the Third
Infantry Division.
BG O’Daniel photos by William Heller
He took part in the landings at Anzio in January 1944 and assumed command of the combat tempered Third Infantry
Division after General L.K. Truscott was advanced to the post of Sixth Corps Commander. This occurred while the
Third was still on the beachhead in February 1944. While under his command the division repelled furious German
counterattacks, finally breaking out of the beachhead encirclement and driving to Rome, where he was rewarded with
his second star. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by General George C. Marshall, U.S. Army
Chief of Staff for his service in Italy.
Much publicized, if not completely reported, was the comment he made at a staff meeting in response to a question
from British Field Marshall Sir Harold Alexander, commander of the Allied Armies in Italy. “I believe your division did
not give an inch”, said Alexander. “Is that true?” The reply was “Not a God-Damned inch.”
He served there until August 1944 when O’Daniel and his Third Division landed at the St. Tropez Peninsula in
Southern France and drove north through the Vosges Mountains to Germany. General O’Daniel led the Third Division
up the Rhone Valley to Strasbourg, in the Colmar Pocket where it decimated German Forces in January 1945 and
when it smashed across the Siegfried Line at Zweibrucker in March 1945. He frequently flew over the front lines in a
light airplane dropping notes to the troops below, exhorting them to advance. His outfit took Schweinfurt and the he
led the Division across the Rhine and participated in the capture of the Nazi citadel at Nurenburg on April 20, 1945
after ruthless house to house fighting. General O’Daniel hoisted his flag over Adolph Hitler Square in the center of the
city and paid a rousing tribute to the exhausted infantrymen around him for having “driven the hun” from one of the
last remaining Nazi strongholds.
Just before noon on April 20, 1945-Adolf Hitler's birthday-the 2d Battalion of the 30th reached the Adolf Hitler Platz in
the center of the town after taking its ground in a building-to-building fight. The street markers in the square were
replaced by others bearing the name "Eiserner Michael Platz" (Iron Mike Square) in honor of the 3d Division's
Commanding General Maj. Gen. John W. O’Daniel who was known to his intimate friends and to thousands of
Marnemen as "Iron Mike."
At 1830, in the battered Adolf Hitler Platz, a rifle platoon from each regiment, as well as tanks, TDs, and Flak wagons,
stood in silent array. Old Glory ascended an improvised flagpole and the band played the National Anthem. Maj. Gen.
John W. O’Daniel then spoke.
"Again the 3d Division has taken its objective," he said. "We are standing at the site of the stronghold of Nazi
resistance in our zone. Through your feats of arms, you have smashed fifty heavy antiaircraft guns, captured four
thousand prisoners, and driven the Hun from every house and every castle and bunker in our part of Nurnberg.
"I congratulate you upon your superior performance. . ."
The band broke into "Dogface Soldier." A few bewildered civilians contemplated the red, white, and blue banner flying
at half-mast in mourning for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The Third Infantry went on to conquer Augsburg, Munich, and Salzburg. It ended the war with the capture of
Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s mountain stronghold in May 1945. Representatives of German Field Marshall Kesserling
surrendered to him and he turned them over to General Jacob L. Devers near Munich on May 5, 1945. One of O’
Daniel’s proudest trophies from the war was a pair of Hermann Goering’s trousers. He called them “a lot of pants”.
At war’s end it was reported that O’Daniel’s “Rock of the Marne” Third Division had been awarded one fourth of all
Medals of Honor presented during the war for its feats in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany.
In June 1945, he was presented with the Conspicuous Service Cross of Delaware by the Adjutant General, Paul R.
Rinard and the Governor’s Medal, presented by Colonel William J. Storey, Secretary of State acting for Governor
Walter W. Bacon. The first, the State’s highest military award , was made in front of the Public Building in
Wilmington, while the second, the states highest civilian award, was presented on the University of Delaware campus.
In July 1945, General O’Daniel was assigned temporary duty with Army Ground Forces Headquarters in Washington
DC. Later that month he became the commandant of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, and in November 1946 was
also appointed Commanding General there.
General O’Daniel was named Military Attaché at Moscow Russia in June 1948 and after temporary duty with the
Intelligence Division at Army headquarters, assumed that position the following September, serving until August 1950
when he was appointed Infantry Inspector in the Office of the Chief of Army Field Forces at Fort Monroe Virginia.
He once recalled that it was the only time he ever wore all of his military decorations he had received, “to dazzle the
Russians who were impressed with his medals.” After returning from Moscow he made news when he wrote a
lengthy magazine article about his experience and was quoted as saying, “For all its advertised glory, Moscow first
impressed me, and still does, as a vast slum.” The Soviet newspaper Pravda responded by accusing him of being a
spy and a liar.
In July 1951, he went to Korea to command 1st Corps, 8th Army for his last combat assignment. During his service
in Korea, he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement on flights from July 21 to August 14, 1951 and
the Commendation Ribbon for meritorious achievement on July 18, 1951. General O’Daniel gained an appreciation for
the use of airpower saying "The airlift to Korea is one of the greatest developments of this war. It gives a commander
advantages he never had in wars before." He pinned on his third star on December 20th 1951.
On September 1, 1952, General O’Daniel became commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Pacific returning once
again to Fort Schafter, Hawaii.
He capped his distinguished career when he was posted as the very first Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory
Group for Indo-China in April 1954 at the behest of President Eisenhower, leading the vanguard of America’s
involvement in Indochina. He took a voluntary drop in rank so he would not outrank the French commander at that
time. It was a controversial appointment, in that O’Daniel was viewed by some as not having the requisite tact and
sophistication. Eisenhower defended him and believed that his critics had underestimated him. “Despite his nickname
and his tough exterior”, Eisenhower wrote, “General O’Daniel was a man of great ability and tact”. He quickly
became involved in Vietnamese affairs even before the French were defeated. He had been chosen for the assignment
largely on the basis of his successful role in creating and supervising the training programs which had transformed the
South Korean Army into an effective fighting force during the Korean War. Now, in the aftermath of the Geneva
settlement, he and his 342-man group began preparing for the immense task of rebuilding South Vietnam's armed
forces.
He was optimistic that with American help Communism in Southeast Asia could be held at bay. He recommended
increased aid to the French and an increased American presence. His advice was taken, and he set out to train and
equip a more competent and professional South Vietnamese military as France disengaged from the area. Iron Mike
became a forceful advocate of the U.S. commitment to Viet Nam, calling it "a test of our guts and our resilience." A
monument to General O’Daniels was erected at Quang Trung, about ten miles west of Saigon, and the site of the
largest training camp in the country at the time.
General O’Daniel retired from active service on December 31, 1955. At his retirement ceremony General Maxwell
Taylor, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, paid a personalized tribute during a Pentagon ceremony. Commenting that
“Iron Mike” always gets his objective”, General Taylor told the story of how General O’Daniel captured
Berchtesgaden in May 1945. Racing down one side of the Autobahn and finally putting his forces across the single
available bridge, General O’Daniel’s men won the spirited race to the prized objective from the soldiers of the 101st
Airborne Division. General Taylor had been in command of the 101st at the time. General O’Daniel was awarded a
third oak leaf cluster to his Distinguished Service Medal at the ceremony.
His decorations include the French Croix de Guerre, the British Order of the Bath, the Italian Silver Medal, the Silver
Star with cluster, the Legion of Merit with cluster, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. He holds the Distinguished
Service Cross, and the Distinguished Service Medal with cluster. He was given Delaware’s highest civilian medal, the
Governor’s Medal and the Conspicuous Service Cross of Delaware. He was awarded an honorary PhD from the
University of Delaware in 1956.
After returning from Vietnam and retiring, he was chairman of a civilian group called American Friends of Vietnam,
demonstrating his personal commitment to the Vietnamese people.
He attended a reunion in Newark at the University of Delaware also attended by retired Marine Lt Gen. Robert T.
Pepper, and Gen. Julian C. Smith in 1967. O’Daniel sent his alma mater a portrait given to him by Ngo Dinh Diem,
the first president of South Vietnam. The Middletown Transcript recorded his last visit to Delaware on Nov 28 1971:
“Lt. Gen. John W. "Iron Mike” O’Daniel, World War II hero, returned to Newark to settle the estate of his aunt Miss
Etta J. Wilson.”
A 1945 oil portrait of General O’Daniel by Stanley Arthurs was presented to his alma mater, and hangs in Alumni Hall
at the University of Delaware. On May 1, 1953 the National Sojourners, DuPont Chapter No. 78 presented a portrait
of the general painted in 1945 by E. Klotsche, a POW artist at Fort DuPont to the state, to be hung in Legislative Hall
with other portraits of distinguished leaders of World War II. The portrait was accepted by Governor J. Caleb Boggs
in a brief ceremony.
He died in San Diego on March 27 1975, survived by his wife Gretchen, a daughter Mrs. Ruth Snyder of Pacific
Grove California, and four grandchildren. His first wife, Ruth died in 1965. A brother, Lieutenant J. Allison O’Daniel,
was killed in an air crash in France while serving in World War I.
His only son, John W. O’Daniel Jr., a paratrooper, was killed in action in World War II at Arnhem in 1944. Private O’
Daniel was a member of Company A, 506th Parachute Regiment in the crack 82nd Airborne Division and was
reported missing in action during the fighting after the “perfect drop” at Nijmegan Bridge, Holland. The drop took
place on September 17, 1944 and Private O’Daniel was killed by a machine gun bullet near Mook Holland the
following day. A graduate of Newark High School, the young soldier was attending Sullivan Military Academy when
he was inducted. Transferring to the paratroops, he was sent overseas in July 1944, and took training in England.
His decorations included the Silver Star Medal, awarded posthumously, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
SOURCES:
Documents from the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center Carlisle Pennsylvania
Iron Mike O’Daniel Dead: A General in Three Wars, Obituary New York Times 29 March 1975 p.26
O’Daniel Starts Vietnam Training New York Times 13 Feb 1955
Died. Lieut. General John W. ("Iron Mike") O'Daniel, 81, Time Magazine: 7 April 1975
Lt. Gen. John (Iron Mike) O’Daniel Dies, Obituary Washington Post, Sunday, March 30, 1975 p. B6
“Iron Mike “Always Gets His Objective, Says General Taylor (He Should Know) ANAFJ 17 Dec 1955.
Gen. O’Daniel Dies; Served in 3 U.S. Wars, Wilmington Evening Journal 29 March 1975
Generals O’Daniel, Pepper, Julian Smith Return for Delaware Annual Reunion, Newark Post Newark Delaware,
Thursday May 11, 1967
When Talking About Heroes, Remember these Three Men, Elbert Chance, News Journal Compass, October 22, 1987
Official Biography prepared by DoD Office of Public Information August 1954
Delaware’s Role in World War II, Volumes I and II, William H. Conner and Leon deValinger Jr., Delaware Heritage
Commission, Delaware State Archives, Dover Delaware, 2003
Brig. Gen. Wiggins is the past Executive Director of the Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation. He is
the author of “Delaware Army National Guard” and “Delaware Air National Guard”, both histories published by
Arcadia Publishing.
Pennsylvania in 1912 and attended Delaware College in Newark Delaware, where he played varsity football and earned
the nickname “Mike”. . He enlisted in the Delaware National Guard in 1913 with Company E, 1st Delaware Infantry.
In July 19, 1916 he was mobilized, and served as a corporal and sergeant with the First Infantry at the Mexico border
in Deming New Mexico. He was honorably discharged from service on his 23rd birthday, February 15, 1917.
After graduation from Delaware College in 1917 he was commissioned a second lieutenant of the Infantry Reserve on
August 15 at Reserve Officers Training Camp at Fort Meyer Virginia. He received his regular commission on October
26 and was assigned to the 11th Infantry at Camp Forrest Tennessee.
He shipped out for overseas duty and participated in the St. Mihiel and Neuse –Argonne offensives. He was wounded
at St. Mihiel September 12, 1918. Testifying to his endurance and aggressiveness in battle was his nickname, “Iron
Mike”, awarded by his peers, said to be a result of his actions at St. Mihiel, where he fought for twelve hours, even
though he was hit in the face by a German machine gun bullet and severely wounded. He was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross for his actions as well as the Purple Heart. He returned to the United States with the 11th
Infantry on September 1919 and was transferred to the 25th Infantry at Camp Stephen D. Little Nogales Arizona.
General O’Daniel became an Infantry instructor with the New Jersey National Guard at Trenton in May 1924. In
September 1927 he entered the Infantry School at Fort Benning Georgia and was graduated in May 1928. He was
transferred in July 1928 to the 21st Infantry at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and in January 1930 was placed in
command of the Military Police Detachment of the Hawaiian Department at Fort Schafter. In October 1931 he joined
the 12th Infantry at Fort Howard Maryland.
In the 1930’s with the country locked in Depression, General O’Daniel undertook a series of assignments that
departed from traditional military roles. In May 1933, General O’Daniel became assistant to the Officer in Charge of
the Port of Embarkation at New York City for the Pilgrimage of War Mother and Widows. From September to
November 1933, he was on Civilian Conservation Corps duty at Smokemont, North Carolina and then was assigned to
the 22nd Infantry at Fort Oglethorpe Georgia. In July 1934 he was appointed Army liaison officer with the Tennessee
Valley Authority. In March 1935 he became adjutant of District “D” of the Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort
McClellan, Alabama. He was named Executive Officer of District “D” in July 1935 earning advancement to Major in
August, and a year later he became Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the Academy of Richmond County at
Augusta Georgia.
General O’Daniel entered the Command and Staff School at Fort Leavenworth Kansas in September and was
graduated in June 1939. He was then assigned to Fort Brady Michigan as an instructor of the Citizen’s Military
Training Camp and Officer’s Reserve Corps. In August 1939 he became branch instructor in the Michigan Military
Area with headquarters in Detroit.
In January 1941 he became commander of the Second Battalion, 24th Infantry at Fort Benning with which he
participated in the Third Army maneuvers in Louisiana – a critical test of logistical and combat capabilities for the later
fighting in World War II. At the onset of World War II, in December 1941 he was promoted to Colonel and became
Assistant Chief of Staff for operations of the Third Army and Director of the Junior Officers Training Center in San
Antonio, Texas. In June 1942 he was named Operations Officer of the Amphibious Training Center at Camp
Edwards Massachusetts.
In July 1942 General O’Daniel was transferred to Allied Force Headquarters in Europe as Commander of the
American Invasion Training School in the British Isles. General Mark W. Clark said at the time of preparation for the
African and Italian programs:
“I selected Colonel Mike O’Daniel to head our amphibious training program. The Colonel had been with me in World
War I when I commanded Company K of the 11th Infantry Regiment in the Argonne. After I was wounded by
shrapnel there, Mike took over command and by his gallant conduct on the field of battle won the Distinguished
Service Cross. He recently had headed up amphibious and commando training at Ground Forces Headquarters in
Washington.”
In September 1942 he assumed command of the 168th Infantry in the North African theater and led that unit on
November 8-9 in the capture of Algiers. He was also rewarded with his first star on the 20th of November. In
December 1942, he was assigned to organize the Fifth Army Invasion Training Center in Africa which trained the
forces for the landings in Sicily and Salerno.
Once more, as in North Africa, Brigadier General John W. O’Daniel of Newark Delaware was singled out by General
Mark Clark during the Salerno landing as one man he could always depend upon. Clark declared that a good
beachmaster was the first essential at a landing operation, and that he had one of the best in “Mike” O’Daniel, that he
(O’Daniel) soon molded a traffic system out of chaos, and thus surmounted the first serious crisis.
General O’Daniel in June 1943 was named Deputy Commander of the Third Infantry with whom he landed in Sicily.
On July 24 1943 he returned to Algiers and was attached to the 36th Division for the Salerno landings. Although not
required to do so, he chose to land with the troops at Salerno. He became officer in charge of amphibious operations
for the Fifth Army on October 1, 1943 and the following month was reassigned as Assistant Commander of the Third
Infantry Division.
BG O’Daniel photos by William Heller
He took part in the landings at Anzio in January 1944 and assumed command of the combat tempered Third Infantry
Division after General L.K. Truscott was advanced to the post of Sixth Corps Commander. This occurred while the
Third was still on the beachhead in February 1944. While under his command the division repelled furious German
counterattacks, finally breaking out of the beachhead encirclement and driving to Rome, where he was rewarded with
his second star. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by General George C. Marshall, U.S. Army
Chief of Staff for his service in Italy.
Much publicized, if not completely reported, was the comment he made at a staff meeting in response to a question
from British Field Marshall Sir Harold Alexander, commander of the Allied Armies in Italy. “I believe your division did
not give an inch”, said Alexander. “Is that true?” The reply was “Not a God-Damned inch.”
He served there until August 1944 when O’Daniel and his Third Division landed at the St. Tropez Peninsula in
Southern France and drove north through the Vosges Mountains to Germany. General O’Daniel led the Third Division
up the Rhone Valley to Strasbourg, in the Colmar Pocket where it decimated German Forces in January 1945 and
when it smashed across the Siegfried Line at Zweibrucker in March 1945. He frequently flew over the front lines in a
light airplane dropping notes to the troops below, exhorting them to advance. His outfit took Schweinfurt and the he
led the Division across the Rhine and participated in the capture of the Nazi citadel at Nurenburg on April 20, 1945
after ruthless house to house fighting. General O’Daniel hoisted his flag over Adolph Hitler Square in the center of the
city and paid a rousing tribute to the exhausted infantrymen around him for having “driven the hun” from one of the
last remaining Nazi strongholds.
Just before noon on April 20, 1945-Adolf Hitler's birthday-the 2d Battalion of the 30th reached the Adolf Hitler Platz in
the center of the town after taking its ground in a building-to-building fight. The street markers in the square were
replaced by others bearing the name "Eiserner Michael Platz" (Iron Mike Square) in honor of the 3d Division's
Commanding General Maj. Gen. John W. O’Daniel who was known to his intimate friends and to thousands of
Marnemen as "Iron Mike."
At 1830, in the battered Adolf Hitler Platz, a rifle platoon from each regiment, as well as tanks, TDs, and Flak wagons,
stood in silent array. Old Glory ascended an improvised flagpole and the band played the National Anthem. Maj. Gen.
John W. O’Daniel then spoke.
"Again the 3d Division has taken its objective," he said. "We are standing at the site of the stronghold of Nazi
resistance in our zone. Through your feats of arms, you have smashed fifty heavy antiaircraft guns, captured four
thousand prisoners, and driven the Hun from every house and every castle and bunker in our part of Nurnberg.
"I congratulate you upon your superior performance. . ."
The band broke into "Dogface Soldier." A few bewildered civilians contemplated the red, white, and blue banner flying
at half-mast in mourning for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The Third Infantry went on to conquer Augsburg, Munich, and Salzburg. It ended the war with the capture of
Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s mountain stronghold in May 1945. Representatives of German Field Marshall Kesserling
surrendered to him and he turned them over to General Jacob L. Devers near Munich on May 5, 1945. One of O’
Daniel’s proudest trophies from the war was a pair of Hermann Goering’s trousers. He called them “a lot of pants”.
At war’s end it was reported that O’Daniel’s “Rock of the Marne” Third Division had been awarded one fourth of all
Medals of Honor presented during the war for its feats in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany.
In June 1945, he was presented with the Conspicuous Service Cross of Delaware by the Adjutant General, Paul R.
Rinard and the Governor’s Medal, presented by Colonel William J. Storey, Secretary of State acting for Governor
Walter W. Bacon. The first, the State’s highest military award , was made in front of the Public Building in
Wilmington, while the second, the states highest civilian award, was presented on the University of Delaware campus.
In July 1945, General O’Daniel was assigned temporary duty with Army Ground Forces Headquarters in Washington
DC. Later that month he became the commandant of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, and in November 1946 was
also appointed Commanding General there.
General O’Daniel was named Military Attaché at Moscow Russia in June 1948 and after temporary duty with the
Intelligence Division at Army headquarters, assumed that position the following September, serving until August 1950
when he was appointed Infantry Inspector in the Office of the Chief of Army Field Forces at Fort Monroe Virginia.
He once recalled that it was the only time he ever wore all of his military decorations he had received, “to dazzle the
Russians who were impressed with his medals.” After returning from Moscow he made news when he wrote a
lengthy magazine article about his experience and was quoted as saying, “For all its advertised glory, Moscow first
impressed me, and still does, as a vast slum.” The Soviet newspaper Pravda responded by accusing him of being a
spy and a liar.
In July 1951, he went to Korea to command 1st Corps, 8th Army for his last combat assignment. During his service
in Korea, he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement on flights from July 21 to August 14, 1951 and
the Commendation Ribbon for meritorious achievement on July 18, 1951. General O’Daniel gained an appreciation for
the use of airpower saying "The airlift to Korea is one of the greatest developments of this war. It gives a commander
advantages he never had in wars before." He pinned on his third star on December 20th 1951.
On September 1, 1952, General O’Daniel became commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Pacific returning once
again to Fort Schafter, Hawaii.
He capped his distinguished career when he was posted as the very first Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory
Group for Indo-China in April 1954 at the behest of President Eisenhower, leading the vanguard of America’s
involvement in Indochina. He took a voluntary drop in rank so he would not outrank the French commander at that
time. It was a controversial appointment, in that O’Daniel was viewed by some as not having the requisite tact and
sophistication. Eisenhower defended him and believed that his critics had underestimated him. “Despite his nickname
and his tough exterior”, Eisenhower wrote, “General O’Daniel was a man of great ability and tact”. He quickly
became involved in Vietnamese affairs even before the French were defeated. He had been chosen for the assignment
largely on the basis of his successful role in creating and supervising the training programs which had transformed the
South Korean Army into an effective fighting force during the Korean War. Now, in the aftermath of the Geneva
settlement, he and his 342-man group began preparing for the immense task of rebuilding South Vietnam's armed
forces.
He was optimistic that with American help Communism in Southeast Asia could be held at bay. He recommended
increased aid to the French and an increased American presence. His advice was taken, and he set out to train and
equip a more competent and professional South Vietnamese military as France disengaged from the area. Iron Mike
became a forceful advocate of the U.S. commitment to Viet Nam, calling it "a test of our guts and our resilience." A
monument to General O’Daniels was erected at Quang Trung, about ten miles west of Saigon, and the site of the
largest training camp in the country at the time.
General O’Daniel retired from active service on December 31, 1955. At his retirement ceremony General Maxwell
Taylor, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, paid a personalized tribute during a Pentagon ceremony. Commenting that
“Iron Mike” always gets his objective”, General Taylor told the story of how General O’Daniel captured
Berchtesgaden in May 1945. Racing down one side of the Autobahn and finally putting his forces across the single
available bridge, General O’Daniel’s men won the spirited race to the prized objective from the soldiers of the 101st
Airborne Division. General Taylor had been in command of the 101st at the time. General O’Daniel was awarded a
third oak leaf cluster to his Distinguished Service Medal at the ceremony.
His decorations include the French Croix de Guerre, the British Order of the Bath, the Italian Silver Medal, the Silver
Star with cluster, the Legion of Merit with cluster, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. He holds the Distinguished
Service Cross, and the Distinguished Service Medal with cluster. He was given Delaware’s highest civilian medal, the
Governor’s Medal and the Conspicuous Service Cross of Delaware. He was awarded an honorary PhD from the
University of Delaware in 1956.
After returning from Vietnam and retiring, he was chairman of a civilian group called American Friends of Vietnam,
demonstrating his personal commitment to the Vietnamese people.
He attended a reunion in Newark at the University of Delaware also attended by retired Marine Lt Gen. Robert T.
Pepper, and Gen. Julian C. Smith in 1967. O’Daniel sent his alma mater a portrait given to him by Ngo Dinh Diem,
the first president of South Vietnam. The Middletown Transcript recorded his last visit to Delaware on Nov 28 1971:
“Lt. Gen. John W. "Iron Mike” O’Daniel, World War II hero, returned to Newark to settle the estate of his aunt Miss
Etta J. Wilson.”
A 1945 oil portrait of General O’Daniel by Stanley Arthurs was presented to his alma mater, and hangs in Alumni Hall
at the University of Delaware. On May 1, 1953 the National Sojourners, DuPont Chapter No. 78 presented a portrait
of the general painted in 1945 by E. Klotsche, a POW artist at Fort DuPont to the state, to be hung in Legislative Hall
with other portraits of distinguished leaders of World War II. The portrait was accepted by Governor J. Caleb Boggs
in a brief ceremony.
He died in San Diego on March 27 1975, survived by his wife Gretchen, a daughter Mrs. Ruth Snyder of Pacific
Grove California, and four grandchildren. His first wife, Ruth died in 1965. A brother, Lieutenant J. Allison O’Daniel,
was killed in an air crash in France while serving in World War I.
His only son, John W. O’Daniel Jr., a paratrooper, was killed in action in World War II at Arnhem in 1944. Private O’
Daniel was a member of Company A, 506th Parachute Regiment in the crack 82nd Airborne Division and was
reported missing in action during the fighting after the “perfect drop” at Nijmegan Bridge, Holland. The drop took
place on September 17, 1944 and Private O’Daniel was killed by a machine gun bullet near Mook Holland the
following day. A graduate of Newark High School, the young soldier was attending Sullivan Military Academy when
he was inducted. Transferring to the paratroops, he was sent overseas in July 1944, and took training in England.
His decorations included the Silver Star Medal, awarded posthumously, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
SOURCES:
Documents from the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center Carlisle Pennsylvania
Iron Mike O’Daniel Dead: A General in Three Wars, Obituary New York Times 29 March 1975 p.26
O’Daniel Starts Vietnam Training New York Times 13 Feb 1955
Died. Lieut. General John W. ("Iron Mike") O'Daniel, 81, Time Magazine: 7 April 1975
Lt. Gen. John (Iron Mike) O’Daniel Dies, Obituary Washington Post, Sunday, March 30, 1975 p. B6
“Iron Mike “Always Gets His Objective, Says General Taylor (He Should Know) ANAFJ 17 Dec 1955.
Gen. O’Daniel Dies; Served in 3 U.S. Wars, Wilmington Evening Journal 29 March 1975
Generals O’Daniel, Pepper, Julian Smith Return for Delaware Annual Reunion, Newark Post Newark Delaware,
Thursday May 11, 1967
When Talking About Heroes, Remember these Three Men, Elbert Chance, News Journal Compass, October 22, 1987
Official Biography prepared by DoD Office of Public Information August 1954
Delaware’s Role in World War II, Volumes I and II, William H. Conner and Leon deValinger Jr., Delaware Heritage
Commission, Delaware State Archives, Dover Delaware, 2003
Brig. Gen. Wiggins is the past Executive Director of the Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation. He is
the author of “Delaware Army National Guard” and “Delaware Air National Guard”, both histories published by
Arcadia Publishing.
From the Delaware Military History Museum Archives:
A report by Herbert M.Hazzard, 1st Lt., 142nd Ftr SQ (SE), Historian circa fall 1949:
Delaware Air National Guard 142nd Squadron History: September 1949 and Summer Encampment 13-27 August
1949. It was a very eventful time for the nascent Squadron and this short report neatly summarizes the period.
P-47's on the New Castle Flightline 1949
“The two weeks annual training period from 13 August to 27 August 1949 was highly successful as far as the
142nd fighter Squadron and allied units were concerned. The encampment started off with a literal “Bang” by
having Captain Robert J. Byrne, “B” Flight leader; make an emergency landing, wheels up on the Airport during one
of the first flights made on the 13th. Due to poor visibility, operations were curtailed for the day. Most of the
flying accomplished was to increase the proficiency of the individual pilots in preparation for the Operational
Readiness Test which began 18 August 1949. Weather again hampered our schedule for the 14th but the pilots
were able to engage in brief periods of ground gunnery. The night of the 16th the squadron took off on a mass
cross-country; a round Robin to Columbus Ohio. Five four-ship flights made the trip. On the 18th all personnel
were placed on a standby alert to commence the Operational Readiness Test. The judge or scorer was Lt Col J.I.
Steeves, who is also the Air Force Instructor for the Squadron. The missions were generally led on most flights by
the Squadron Commander, Lt. Col Ross J. Adams, Jr. Some of the highlights of the O.R.T. were: a maximum
effort flight for reconnaissance purposes; a scramble take-off on the 21st when flagmen were used on the end of
the runway to direct traffic; and patrols of designated sectors as well as assignment of specific targets for the
squadron to destroy…
The 26th was Governor’s Day when the squadron participated in an Air Show for the benefit of the Governors of
Delaware and Virginia as well as a large crowd of spectators and prominent personalities. This two week training
period was considered very beneficial in pointing out the weaknesses of the squadron as a whole, but also, proved
what we already knew, that the 142nd Fighter Squadron was in pretty good shape operationally speaking…
All officers eligible for the State uniform allowance “blossomed out” in the new Air Force blue uniform by the 15th
of September. Operations slacked off considerably after the terrific pace set during the encampment, in order to
permit the engineering section to catch up on a lot of maintenance caused by continuous daily use of the aircraft.
The latest “shot in the arm” for the whole squadron seems to be caused by new rumors concerning our chances of
getting F-84 equipment.”
HERBERT M. HAZZARD, 1st Lt., 142nd Ftr SQ (SE), Historian
A report by Herbert M.Hazzard, 1st Lt., 142nd Ftr SQ (SE), Historian circa fall 1949:
Delaware Air National Guard 142nd Squadron History: September 1949 and Summer Encampment 13-27 August
1949. It was a very eventful time for the nascent Squadron and this short report neatly summarizes the period.
P-47's on the New Castle Flightline 1949
“The two weeks annual training period from 13 August to 27 August 1949 was highly successful as far as the
142nd fighter Squadron and allied units were concerned. The encampment started off with a literal “Bang” by
having Captain Robert J. Byrne, “B” Flight leader; make an emergency landing, wheels up on the Airport during one
of the first flights made on the 13th. Due to poor visibility, operations were curtailed for the day. Most of the
flying accomplished was to increase the proficiency of the individual pilots in preparation for the Operational
Readiness Test which began 18 August 1949. Weather again hampered our schedule for the 14th but the pilots
were able to engage in brief periods of ground gunnery. The night of the 16th the squadron took off on a mass
cross-country; a round Robin to Columbus Ohio. Five four-ship flights made the trip. On the 18th all personnel
were placed on a standby alert to commence the Operational Readiness Test. The judge or scorer was Lt Col J.I.
Steeves, who is also the Air Force Instructor for the Squadron. The missions were generally led on most flights by
the Squadron Commander, Lt. Col Ross J. Adams, Jr. Some of the highlights of the O.R.T. were: a maximum
effort flight for reconnaissance purposes; a scramble take-off on the 21st when flagmen were used on the end of
the runway to direct traffic; and patrols of designated sectors as well as assignment of specific targets for the
squadron to destroy…
The 26th was Governor’s Day when the squadron participated in an Air Show for the benefit of the Governors of
Delaware and Virginia as well as a large crowd of spectators and prominent personalities. This two week training
period was considered very beneficial in pointing out the weaknesses of the squadron as a whole, but also, proved
what we already knew, that the 142nd Fighter Squadron was in pretty good shape operationally speaking…
All officers eligible for the State uniform allowance “blossomed out” in the new Air Force blue uniform by the 15th
of September. Operations slacked off considerably after the terrific pace set during the encampment, in order to
permit the engineering section to catch up on a lot of maintenance caused by continuous daily use of the aircraft.
The latest “shot in the arm” for the whole squadron seems to be caused by new rumors concerning our chances of
getting F-84 equipment.”
HERBERT M. HAZZARD, 1st Lt., 142nd Ftr SQ (SE), Historian
Recent Museum Acquisitions: The Colonel William A. Smith Collection
The Delaware Military Museum was recently bequeathed the collection of Colonel William A. Smith. He was
affectionately known as “Smitty” and his collection comprises a photographic record of the Delaware National Guard
for over 65 years. An avid shutterbug, Colonel Smith documented his own distinguished career with his camera. He
was also a fixture at almost every Guard gathering, snapping photos of promotions, parades, and ceremonies. The
museum is heir to several dozen photo albums of his life work. His family also passed along many of his uniforms,
ephemera and artifacts.
William A. Smith
Born on January 1, 1921 to Harold and Martha Smith in Clayton, DE, and raised in Bacon Switch, DE, William Smith
graduated from Laurel High School in 1940. He enlisted the DE National Guard on October 16, 1939. CPL Smith was
called to National Duty on January 27, 1941 and served three years in C Battery 261st Coast Artillery before being
transferred to 193rd Field Artillery, Ft. Jackson, SC, where he was promoted to Staff SGT. He volunteered for
parachute school at Ft. Benning, GA. Upon completion, he was shipped to Europe, landing in France, and was
assigned to 517th P.I.R. (Parachute Infantry Regiment) as a Platoon SGT, serving six months in the European Theater
of Operations (ETO) in France, Belgium, and Germany. T/SGT Smith returned from the ETO in August 1945, after
receiving the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge with four battle stars.
He re-enlisted in the DE National Guard after receiving a 2nd LT commission. After spending years progressing
through the ranks, he retired at the rank of Colonel in 1970, ending a twenty-eight year military career. As a retiree, he
spent many hours developing and promoting the DE National Guard Retired Officers Association and served as
President for several years. Colonel Smith passed away on January 5, 2009. We honor his memory.
The Delaware Military Museum was recently bequeathed the collection of Colonel William A. Smith. He was
affectionately known as “Smitty” and his collection comprises a photographic record of the Delaware National Guard
for over 65 years. An avid shutterbug, Colonel Smith documented his own distinguished career with his camera. He
was also a fixture at almost every Guard gathering, snapping photos of promotions, parades, and ceremonies. The
museum is heir to several dozen photo albums of his life work. His family also passed along many of his uniforms,
ephemera and artifacts.
William A. Smith
Born on January 1, 1921 to Harold and Martha Smith in Clayton, DE, and raised in Bacon Switch, DE, William Smith
graduated from Laurel High School in 1940. He enlisted the DE National Guard on October 16, 1939. CPL Smith was
called to National Duty on January 27, 1941 and served three years in C Battery 261st Coast Artillery before being
transferred to 193rd Field Artillery, Ft. Jackson, SC, where he was promoted to Staff SGT. He volunteered for
parachute school at Ft. Benning, GA. Upon completion, he was shipped to Europe, landing in France, and was
assigned to 517th P.I.R. (Parachute Infantry Regiment) as a Platoon SGT, serving six months in the European Theater
of Operations (ETO) in France, Belgium, and Germany. T/SGT Smith returned from the ETO in August 1945, after
receiving the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge with four battle stars.
He re-enlisted in the DE National Guard after receiving a 2nd LT commission. After spending years progressing
through the ranks, he retired at the rank of Colonel in 1970, ending a twenty-eight year military career. As a retiree, he
spent many hours developing and promoting the DE National Guard Retired Officers Association and served as
President for several years. Colonel Smith passed away on January 5, 2009. We honor his memory.
DELAWARE JOURNAL OF MILITARY HISTORY First Regiment Road, Wilmington DE 19808. Editor: Brig.Gen. (DE Ret) Kennard R. Wiggins Jr. Kennard.Wiggins@gmail.com 410-398-0742 |
Questions without answers
We actively solicit manuscripts and articles from historians and researchers. Delaware Military History is a rich source
for military historians. We’d like to broaden and deepen our understanding of our soldiers, sailors, marines and
airmen. Someone out there knows a lot about LTG Robert Pepper, USMC. Somebody else is an expert on the
bombardment of Lewes in the War of 1812. We’d like to know more about Commodore Jacob Jones, or about the
contribution of Delaware shipyards to the U.S. Navy, the Chrysler Tank Plant, and the Civil Air Patrol in WWII.
We actively solicit manuscripts and articles from historians and researchers. Delaware Military History is a rich source
for military historians. We’d like to broaden and deepen our understanding of our soldiers, sailors, marines and
airmen. Someone out there knows a lot about LTG Robert Pepper, USMC. Somebody else is an expert on the
bombardment of Lewes in the War of 1812. We’d like to know more about Commodore Jacob Jones, or about the
contribution of Delaware shipyards to the U.S. Navy, the Chrysler Tank Plant, and the Civil Air Patrol in WWII.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |