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

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Skeldon was born on 3 July 1914 at tion from the United States Military he was appointed a second lieutenant Major General James H. Toledo, Ohio. Upon gradua Academy on 12 June 1937, in the United States Army. . His first assignment was hight training at Randolph Field, Texas. The next year, 1938, he went to his first infantry assignment as a platoon leader with the 20th Infantry Regiment at Fort Francis E. Warren, Wyoming. With the 20th, he served further as both com- pany and battalion commander. In 1941, he served as Headquarters Commandant and Assistant G4 of the Panama Mobile Force at Fort Clayton, Canal Zone, and later as Assistant G4 of the Panama Canal Department. Returning to the United States in September, 1943, he was as- signed and served as an instructor at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia and also attended the Advanced Infantry Officers Course at the station. In early January, 1945,Genera1 Skeldon, with selected members of the Infantry School staff, established an Infantry School in Fontainebleau, France and was assigned to Headquarters, Ground Forces Training Command, European Theater of Operations. Upon his return to the United States in August, 1945, General Skeldon was detailed to the War Department General Staff in Washington, DC. Three years later the General attended the Command and Gen- eral Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and then assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. In August, 1950, he went to Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division, leading his battalion through the early heavy fighting of the Korean Conhict and receiving the nations second hi Jhest awardM-the Distin wished Service Cros - . to? extraordinary heroismgin action, 5 on two occasmns, In June of 1951 he was assigned as Executive Ohicer Fort M Virginia; and in 1953 he was graduated from the Ni Unive Yttr, at Maxwetl Air Force base, Alabama. A three-year tour of $3 fotlowed in Oslo, Norway, as Assistant Chief of Staff Logistics , Aliied Forces, Northern Europe. In August, 19571 he attended the National War graduated in 1958. COIIege and Once again he was assigned to Europe and assumed c the lst Battie Group, let Infantry, and later becarIICe:m1ritns:Ii1Ct1 Of Division Commander and Brigade Commander of the 24th Inf: int Division. When units of the 24th returned from Lebanon Ge n ry Skeldon assumed command of the 1st Battle Group, 19th,Infaniml and became Chief of Staff of the division in April 1959 W March, 1961 saw his promotion to Brigadier Generaliand a pomtment as Special Assistant to the Division Commander I? held this post untll May, when he returned to the United States f e duty with the Jomt Chiefs of Staff. During his two-year tour with the Jomt Staff, .he served as Special Assistant for Programs at d Budget to the Director, Joint Staff, between June, 1961 and Octob: 1962 and tlhen as Deputy Director, J-5 tPlans and Policy1 Direcr torate unti July 1963. He was romoted to M ' '- December, 1962. p aJor General in General Skeldonts decorations include the Distin uish ' . ed Cross With Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star, the Bfonze Stire 31:16: fCal: Leaf gugter and V-device, the Purple Heart, the Combat In an ryman a ge, and eight service medals. He - of Fort Polk on 25 July 1963. assumed Command JAMES H. SKELDON Commanding General Major General, U. S. Army

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Tabu-xw. Kim? 1 wing. a:vnx'q'wfu Operations continued on a limited basis for National Guard and Reserve two-week encampments. In September 1961, how- ever, Polk facilities were again called upon to answer another national emergencyathe Berlin Crisis. The 49th Armored Division of Texas; the 4009th US Army Garrison of Baton Rouge; and other Reserve and National 'Guard support units arrived for a year of active duty. With the growing need for an even stronger Army, in July 1962 the Post was designated an Infantry Training Center. Regular Army personnel began converging on Polk in the spring of 1962 and within a few months the first trainees arrived. By early fall units providing basic combat, advanced infantry, and common specialist training were fully operational. Rehabilitation of Post facilities from their condition in early 1962 was a gigantic task. Polk personnel had to develop train- ing and recreational resources to accommodate the new situation. A dynamic program of beautilication was begun and resulted in acres of verdant grass and foliage in every regimental area. The Post-wide planting of magnolia and cypress trees and other projects to come will transform Fort Polk into a garden spot of Louisiana. Today Fort Polk is a bustling, Vigorous training center. Its recreational facilities include baseball iields, softball diamonds, tennis courts, swimming pools, golf driving range, miniature golf course, a bowling alley, riding academy, sportsmenis ranges, iield houses, batting range, gymnasium, service clubs, libraries, theaters, and a day room in each company area. In addition there is an 18-hole golf course, one of the finest in the Armed Forces. Fort Polk required a host of ranges and training areas in order to produce top-notch soldiers to assume roles on the Army team. These were constructed or rebuilt to embody the latest advances in training techniques and methods. In addition to material facilities, a training philosophy had to be developed. The crux of this philosophy has been the evolu- tion of an incentive program designed to provide motivation for Regimental Headquarters Swimming Pool superior performance. Its worth has been proven by the trainees, who have matched, topped, and gone on to set new standards in physical training, rifle, and other weapons qualification scores. In the initial year of operation, over 38,000 Polk graduates were added to the Army ranks. Included among the Postis training accomplishments is the Army-wide record of 457.8 for the phy- sical combat prohciency test. It was established by Company 0, Second Training Regiment in October 1963. Fort Polkis climate, location and terrain make it an outstand- ing training area the year round. The climate is mild, with Gulf breezes modifying the summer season and tempering the winter chill. Freezing temperatures seldom occur although periodic northwestern winds occasion sudden drops in temperature, fre- quently accompanied by drizzling rains. Snow is very rare and the summer nights are generally cool. From their vantage point at Fort Polk, servicemen soon learn that Louisiana has much to offer the weekend Sightseer and out- doorsman. Southern towns of great charm welcome Visitors look- ing for a touch of the true aura of Louisiana,s history as well as a taste of its excellent French and Latin cuisine. Choice fish- ing spots on and near the Post are numerous, and hunters find small game in abundance. Cities in the surrounding area oiTer a wide range of business, educational, recreational, cultural and religious facilities. Within three hundred miles of the Fort are such Cities and recreational areas as New Orleans, Houston, Galveston, Dallas, Biloxi, Little Rock and Hot Springs. Professional services available include a bank, a credit union, post oifice, hospital and Red Cross ohice. Chapels and com- munity churches allow Polk personnel opportunity to worship in the religion of their Choice. Thus, Fort Polk provides a balanced program for its men. The recreational and cultural activities are some of the best the Army has to offer; at the same time, using the latest Army techniques, the Post performs the Vital mission of turning civil- ians into the finest soldiers to be found anywhere in the Army. 3 Main Gate Golf Course

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u-.. Me. swig... HEADQUARTERS FORT POLK OHice of the Commanding General Fort Polk, Louisiana This book is about you and for you, and in a large part you have writtenb the story it tells. It is an old story, lived through by countless other men- fathers, brothers, and relatives. For you who have lived it for the first time, this book will serve as a reminder that you succeeded in making the difticult change from citizen to soldier. I trust that this book will remind you that there will be many other chal- lenges in your military careers. These challenges will call for the same spirit of dedication and hard work demonstrated in your first eight weeks of service. There is much yet to be done. l am confident that as challenges and obstacles arise, you will meet and conquer them in a manner in which you and the nation will be proud. JAMES H, SKELDON Maior General, U.S. Army Commanaing mmmam-a-L . ,. ' r . ,3, ya, . t mmwbm