US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Bragg, NC)

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PUST J HBE IJVIJII TE V The legal staff of Fort Bragg consists of Lieutenant Colonel Walter Wadlington, JAGD, and his assistants, all of whom were practicing attorneys in civilian life. The primary mission of the Post Judge Advocate is to act as legal adviser to the Post Commander and to the di- rectors of his various staff divisions. ln the execution of this mission the duties of the Judge Advocate fall into four categories: Military Justice, Military Affairs, Claims, and Legal Assistance. Probably the most important of these is that of Military Justice. The Judge Advocate is responsible for the proper preparation of charges for trial by courts-martial, the preparation for trial, the actual trial of the case, and a re- view thereof for final action by the Commanding General. He personally interviews each prisoner sentenced by the court for a possible consideration of clemency and, if war- ranted, a recommendation that clemency be afforded to the prisoner is made to the Commanding General. Fort Bragg was given General Court-Martial jurisdiction in April of l943, and since that time approximately 150 general court- martial cases have been tried. Since this number includes trial of cases by this headquarters for various attached Army Ground Forces, and Army Service Forces troops, it is indicative that on a post of this size, the discipline among troops of the Station Complement is excellent. The trial of offenders by Summary and Special Courts-Martial gen- erally averages from two to three times the number tried by General Courts-Martial. In the field of Military Affairs, the Judge Advocate is called upon for opinions on various miscellaneous ques- tions of law pertaining to officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees. These questions cover a wide scope of the law on pay, allowances, retirements, discharges, taxa- tion, and other matters related thereto, as well as questions on legal problems involved in the operation of various governmental instrumentalities such as the Post Exchange, flllicers, Messes, Service Clubs, and the like. The Claims Section of the Judge Advocate's Office investi- gates, processes, and reviews all claims in favor of or against the government. ln February of 1944, the Com- manding General was given authority by the Secretary of War to pay all claims against the government up to 325000, and in August of 1944, this authority was in- creased to SSl,000.00, the maximum provided under the claims statutes. From January through September, 1944, the Claims Section processed 75 claims. The average amount of each claim filed was 357500, while the amount actually allowed and paid by this Headquarters averaged about 34-3.00. In addition to these duties, the Judge Advocate's Office also acts as legal counsel to the military personnel of the entire post in their personal legal affairs, and offers legal advice to the soldiers on such matters as divorce, property, contracts, and other legal problems that confront them. The office prepares and offers advice on various legal documents such as wills, powers of attorney, deeds, bills of sale, con- tracts, and similar legal instruments. Top: Lt. Col. Wadlingion, LL Pilurslri, Li. Cooper, C. W. O. Rosenbaum. . . . Second from top: General court-martial in session.

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IIJ T!-XT The Post Publication Scction, directed by Lieutenant Vifilliam A. Fleet, is responsible for the requisitioning, stor- ing and issuing of most publications published by the Weir Department. Under his direction is operated a Message Center which receives and distributes all new publications. As head of the Ration Board Section, Captain Matthew L. Tatum supervises the various OPA rationing programs for the personnel at Fort Bragg. Included in the activities of this section are the issuance of shoe purchase certificates and ration currency, as well as gasoline and tire certificates. The Board processes and issues approximately 3,000 shoe pur- chase certihcates monthly, and during very busy months as many as 8,000 cars are rationed for gasoline and tires. ln a recent three weeks period, 3,500 basic NA7' gasoline rations were issued personally to applicants. The Post Adjutant is also responsible for the review of the Reports of Survey originating on the Post. Captain James T. Layton, who conducts the work in this activity, makes the necessary corrections, and insures the proper distribution of the Reports of Survey. He maintains records of the proceed- ings of the Board of Oflicers appointed by this Headquarters for various reasons, and conducts necessary correspondence in connection with same. The promulgation of a Safety Program for all military and civilian personnel on the Post comes with the scope of the activities of the Post Adjutant. As Post Safety Director Lieutenant Thomas W. Simmons, Jr., makes every effort to reduce the number of injuries to the Post personnel by super- vising and coordinating all safety activities within the Post. While seeing that potential and actual hazards are removed, he conducts an extensive educational program in safety pro- cedures, utilizing visual aids, posters, publications, and other media. Reading clockwise: Post Publication Warehouse .... Raiioning Board. . . . Office of Post Safety Director .... Army Directory Service. . . Message Center. t rib A .H .J ..- sw'

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- - -V .vw , When the Personnel Division was organized at the Post in August, 1942, in compliance with War Department Orders directing the reorganization of many branches of the Army, including Service Command installations, it corn- prised only four Branches: Civilian Personnel, Military Personnel. Special Services. and Chaplains. Since that time the Morale and Education Branch, now called the ln- formation and Education Branch, has been established separately from the Special Services Branch, and a Personal Affairs Branch, has been established. Also under the super- vision of the Director of the Personnel Division are the Station Complement Detachments. MAJOR H. s. HEATH ' I Although the functions and activities of each Branch differ, the Personnel Division, as such, has general super- vision over all the activities of the various Branches co- ordinating their work and maintaining liaison between the Branches. The frequent changes required because of a con- stantly changing war picture, the Wide fluctuation in the number of military and civilian personnel, and the training and supervision necessary for maximum efficiency in so many varied activities in these Branches, and the replace- ment of military personnel by civilians, indicate the scope of work in the Division. Major Henry S. Heath, Director of the Personnel Division since September. l94fl-, succeeded Colonel Clyde H. Hale, who retired after serving approximately four months as Di- rector. Lieutenant Colonel McKinnon Carmichael served as Director of the Division from the time of its organiza- tion until he was followed by Colonel Hale. PEHSUNNEL IJIVISIU l Office personnel of the Division.