US Army Infantry School - Doughboy Yearbook (Fort Benning, GA)

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A LQ, -F' ' ' . l924- DOUGH BOY fs' ,, f' -ff 1- .J 'r - ILM: A X A l A 1 mark, made of some base metal and also of a ruddy hue. This I learned was an unusual order, with a decoration known as the Croix de Questionnaire. This was conferred upon the member of the tribe asking the greatest number of questions. How the selection was made I could not understand, for all seemed most deserving. The other strange badge I noticed, consisted of an unusual headgear, which I immediately identified as a brown hat, known to the ancients as a Brown Derby. And in this I was correct, for this was the emblem of the order of that name. This was conferred upon the member who most successfully resisted the introduction of knowledge. Here again I was at a loss, and questioned the head keeper that he might advise me privately as to the limited membership in the order. He was most kind, and said: Don't men- tion it, but the Assistant Commandant has ordered seventy-one for distribu- tion in May. And so the battle raged on through the fleeting spring with never a sign of abatement, though I had not yet seen the enemy. And my people became most weary of hurrying hither and yon, and sat them down 'neath the refresh- ing shade of the fragrant pines whenever occasion presented itself. And sometimes when it did not. And the carolling of the birds and the murmur- ing brook sent them into reveries of days that were, and built hopes for those to come. One day in the late Spring I was saddened to see all these my people, loaded with their pitiful possessions upon the miniature train, which travels at times between their place of servitude and their habitations. To see them separated from their loving families and transported whence I knew not, and to be parted from them myself, was more than my emotions could withstand, and I smuggled myself aboard that I might still observe their doings and perchance be of some assistance. Great was my happiness when the journey proved short. Upon disem- barking, I found myself still within the confines of the estate, and at the entrance of a quite homelike bivouac. Here all had been made ready for a stay of some duration which I learned was to be six days. This proved to be a maneuver camp, the same being for the purpose of testing the skill the i 2 an Q it? 5 ' 5 J -.f L 7, flu 5 W' 'JJ tx, vi is 'W l lll'

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la i- f I I , Q t , ,xv :in N .n L -W X 2 AQ - 9924 nous:-qaov - usual task. They seemed for all the world to be waging a bitter war against a phantom foe, with an imaginary army. And right gallantly they fought along Cook Ridge, sometimes driving the enemy to Riley Ridge, and quite as often being in turn driven back to Maxey Ridge. Much I marvelled at a war of so few casualties lasting so long a time. Verily the Springtime with its azure skies and blossoms, found them still fighting gallantly, though somewhat exhausted. During this long period of hostilities I noticed from time to time certain superior beings mingling with these people, though plainly not of them. They seemed constantly to enter certain hieroglyphics in closely guarded port- folios, asking the while most embarrassing questions, the answers to which came forth reluctantly, as though the person questioned rather hoped that some other would be unable to contain himself and answer. But when these people asked questions themselves, there was little embarrassment and there was no end. I noticed now a meek member of the tribe with a large red apple pin- ned to his breast. This puzzled me muchly and I enquired the reason for this mark of distinction above his fel- lows. I found him to belong to the Order of the Red Applef' member- ship in which was bestowed upon those who loved their teacher most, and displayed their affections. I was given to understand that membership was not widely sought, though rich- ly deserved. I now looked about me with re- newed interest and discovered for the first time two other members strange- ly decorated, but who bore their dis- tinction with no outward semblance of pride. One had a large question T.-ff 1? tg-Jig, . ish, f Xxx-A Mx gf-suv ffsg, till ii' .ml A U Z wx- mmm. 6 Mg, lllri In , 1 i 00 Q J Z qi' -f 5 ' i fx 51-Q 7 I4 x limp

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1 -,.. .- f QQ 'S f d X26 N-. X i X 1., Q Q' Ml 4 , ---Xl1,.-,!YLv-XM Q JM p-dll, LN xljflv., tribe was supposed to have acquired from the teachings of the past several months. And right aptly they performed with the implements at hand. The enemy evidently still haunted them, for they went forth early each morning, their faces set with a determination to do or die. And each eventide returned more dejected than ever. Now I noticed a spirit of unrest more pronounced than had appeared before. But this did not apply to all, but rather to those who failed to re- ceive the strange missives which were being daily distributed. And that all might see, these were posted upon a large board in the center of the camp. Being curious to know their meaning, I read, as best I could, and now enter in this journal the Words I deciphered: Aloe -to Ft. Benning as Commandant. 'Clark'-to Ft. Benning as instructor in Scouting and Patrolling. 'Philpot' to London as Attache. 'Hoop'-to Ft. Benning as Instructor in Equitation. 'Lang'-to Rand McNally as Map Salesman. 'Fuller'-same as Assistant to Lang. 'Crawford' to Ft. Benning as Instructor in Topography. 'Kincaid' to Ft. Benning as Instructor in Pistol Marksmanship. 'Bagby' same station as Instructor in Wagon Transportation. 'West' same station to Call the Roll each morning. 'Hitchcock' Shooting MOOSE in Alaska, 'Farrel' raising red apples, 'Rice' raising goats. if :ii if And many more which the fading light prevented my reading. And too soon the little train appeared to move the tribe back to the village. This had been a pleasant journey, and the enemy seemed routed. Even the keepers and attendants mingled freely with the people, but with sad expressions as if they too would fain go hence. T' ' -if 5 WEE? ai'- jl'