US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Polk, LA)

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HARLEY B. WEST Major General, USA Commanding General M4 .f ' ar Major General West's military career began in 1928 When he enlisted in the Missouri National Guard. He was commissioned in the 138th Infantry in 1929. Later as a company commander, he was promoted to captain. In 1940 he transferred to the 90th Infantry Brigade staff, an Oklahoma Army National Guard unit, and served with the 90th When mobilized that year. While with the War Department General Staff in Washington, he was promoted to Colonel. In 1944, he served in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations on the staff of General Walter Krueger, Sixth U. S. Army Commander. He Was Assistant G3 and G3 of the Sixth Army in New Guinea, the Philippines, and lapan. After World War ll, he returned to civilian life in Dallas, Texas, Where he joined the newly activated 49th Armored Division. He was assigned as G3 and later Chief of Staff. In October 1955, he was named Assistant Division Commander and promoted to Brigadier General. On 1 luly 1961, he assumed command of the 49th. General West's military education includes the Infantry School, Command and General Staff College and the Army-Navy College, He holds the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Commendation Medals. On I9 September 1961 the 49th Was mobilized and ordered to Fort Polk, Louisiana for a year. General West's task was to see that his division became combat ready and deployable in approximately 13 Weeks. He also assumed command of Fort Polk, in addition to his responsibility as 49th Commander. Under his com- mand, Fort Polk transformed from a ghost town to a city of nearly 25,000. Born in Illinois 8 March 1903, General West, in civilian life, is Assistant Executive Director and Enrollment Director of Blue Cross- Blue Shield, Texas. 'kir

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SKHI ABNKHUHJYHVX Commander HEADQUABTERSAMM Office of the Division Fort Yolk, Louisiana LONE To Members of the h9th Armored Division: This Yearbook is largely a record of our active military service during l96l-62. None of us can yet Know the full impact of that serv- ice on world affairs. The Berlin Crisis, threatening to erupt in war, caused the mobilization of our Division. The crisis remains. But an uneasy peace still prevails. lt is the conviction of many in our government, and it is my own, that the H9th Armored Division, a mobilized force in being, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, has been more than a weapon in the arsenal of human freedom. lt has been an even more powerful symbol of the deter- mination of free Americans to preserve and defend the bloodfbought her' itage of the American past. As such, we have contributed enormously, and we will live to see and understand the importance of what we have done here. We expect soon to return to our homes and resume careers and ac' tivities interrupted by mobilization. During the remainder of our service, let's carry ourselves with pride, determined that none shall say in truth that one of us would have done less than he has done nor spat there is any limit to our willing service and sacrifice to pre- serve freedom for our children and all Americans unborn. ay-I I N as your commander, T am proud of you. The Country is proud o you. and you have a right to be proud of yourselves. HARLEY D. NEST Major General, USA Commanding

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LUTHER E. ORRICK Brigadier General Division Artillery Commander Wichita Falls, Texas Brigadier General Orrick's military career began with enlistment in the 36th infantry Division, Texas National Guard. He earned his commission as a sec- ond lieutenant, Artillery, in 1937, and was promoted to first lieutenant in February 1941, after his unit had been federalized for World War II. He commanded Headquarters Battery, 36th Infantry Division Artillery, as a captain. He was later promoted to major and commanded the 13lst Field Artillery Battalion. After the war, he returned to civilian life but helped organize the 645th Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the new 49th Armored Division. Later, he was promoted to colonel and became executive officer of the 49th's Artillery. He assumed command of the Division Artillery on 1 lune 1961 and was promoted to brigadier general in September of 1961. He entered active federal serv- ice with the 49th Armored Division in October 1961, when it was mobilized and ordered to Fort Polk, Louisiana, for a period of one year. General Orrick was born 10 May 1907 in Arkansas. His military education includes the Command and General Staff College, and the Artillery School. He holds many medals and decorations, including the Bronze Star, Croix de Guerre, American Defense Medal and other service medals. ln civilian life he is principal of S. H. Rider lunior High School, Wichita Falls, Texas. JAMES D. SCOTT Brigadier General Assistant Division Commander Dallas, Texas Brigadier General Scott served in all noncommis- sioned officer grades including first sergeant after enlisting in Troop F, 124th Cavalry, Texas National Guard, in December 1929. He was commissioned a second lieutenant, 124th Cavalry, in October 1940. Soon thereafter he was mobilized into active service, later being promoted to first lieutenant. ln December 1941, he was transferred to Fort Brown, Texas, for duty with Regimental Headquarters, 124th Cavalry. ln Iuly 1942, General Scott received a promotion to, captain and was selected to attend the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He returned to Fort Brown as regimental S4, meanwhile being promoted to major. ln August 1943, he was ordered overseas to the Southwest Pacific Area to serve as Assistant G4 on the staff of General Walter Krueger, Sixth U. S. Army Commander. He served in that capacity through the New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Southern Philippines and Luzon Cam- paigns, receiving a promotion to lieutenant colonel. He was then sent to lapan with Occupation Forces. General Scott returned to civilian life after the war, and when the Texas National Guard was reorganized, he accepted appointment as Assistant Chief of Staff, G4, 49th Armored Division. He was later reassigned as Assistant Chief of Staff, G3, and served in that capacity until 1955. At that time, he was assigned as Chief of Staff and promoted to colonel. After about six years as Chief of Staff, he was appointed Acting Assistant Division Commander on l luly 1961. Two months later he was promoted to brigadier general and appointed to his current assign- ment. ln October 1951 he came with the mobilized division to Fort Polk, Louisiana. ln Ianuary 1962, he was appointed Assistant Adju- tant General of Texas by the Governor of Texas effective upon his relief from active duty. General Scott holds many campaign medals and decorations including the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.