The White Falcon - 12.08.1944, Blaðsíða 3

Gl OPINION
The letters appearing below are in response to the followingquestion which was printed In test week’s P*1frFMEN^AT^THE
PRIORITY DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IN THE DISCHARGE OF SERVICEMEN
CLOSE 0FN™Ew™ed ^ from you ^ the question ---------SH0ULD THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUE CONSCRIPTION
AFTER THE WAR? Send your letters to - THE WHITE FALCON, BASE SPECIAL SERVICE. You may send them by mail through Message
Center or deliver them in person. If more convenient, you may leave them at the information desk at the Red Cross Recreation Center in Reykja-
. vik. Absolute deadline on all letters is Thursday noon, August 17.
Editor, White Falcon:
In anticipation of the demobilization of the armed forces, the follow-
ing program, I think, would work:
1. Discharged veterans who can be discharged from service hospitals^
repatriated prisoners of war and men who have served in a combat zone.
2. Married men over 30 years of age who have served at least six
months in a theater of operations, but not in a combat zone. All men
who have been outside the U.S. for more than, 24 months.
3. All men who have served outside the continental U.S., married
men over 35 who’ve served only in the U.S. and men who’ye served
more than 30 months in the armed forces.
4. All married men or men wth dependents and all men over 30.
5. Members of the Army Ground Forces and then members of the Army
Air and Service Forces. This category also includes shore-based Navy
and Coast Guard personnel.
6. Men assigned to the Service Commands;
In determining the foregoing, I believe that all members of the arm-
ed forces should be assigned to a class designation which will act in
a process reverse to their induction. Demobilization by priority should
also be utilized not only for individuals, but for military organizations
such as companies, regiments, etc. Combat organizations should receive
highest priority and so on down the line.
Pvt. Ben Rosenthal, MP.
Editor, White Falcon: i
The establishment of a* system for the demobilization of the armed
forces presents a most complex problem. A great many opinions have
been expressed, and obviously will continue from a selfish point of view*
rather than from the standpoint of fairness to the individual.
Whatever the accepted plan may be, it should be governed by four
important factors, namely: 1, length of service; 2, length of service
overseas; 3, extent of combat service and 4, climatic conditions under
which overseas service was exercised.
If the demobilization is governed by the aforementioned conditions,
there is no doubt that every man in the services will be given a “square
deal” whether he be banker or baker, farmer or industrialist, married
or single. We cannot truthfully face this problem in any other manner
__ the length of the man’s service and the conditions under which he
served are of prime importance and not the individual’s pre-war or
family status.
The situation will undoubtedly necessitate military occupation for
an indefinite period, and it would seem feasable to send men overseas
who have not served outside the continental limits of the U.S., and also
those who have been in the service a relatively short time to replace
those who have served their fair share.
S/Sgt. George C. Cunningham, Air Corps,
Editor, White Falcon:
This is something that has been bothering me for quite a time, s»
I am glad you have asked the question as to what “priority” we think
should be established by the U.S. Government in the discharge of service-
men at the close of the war.
We also have had heated arguments among us concerning that ques-
tion, so here is what I think should be established: I believe that men
over 35 years of age, those inducted into the service before Pearl Har-
bar, and those with at least 18 months overseas should be discharged, first,
I also believe that these above-mentioned men are entitled to get
home first, because it will be harder for them to establish themselves.
I also believe that these men will have difficulties in getting jobs
if they have to stay in for a longer time, It will be better for the taxpay-
ers’ pockets if these servicemen are discharged first, thus giving them
the first chance to get a job.
Pfc. Nathan Niess, AAA,
Editor, White Falcon:
In answer to your quest for individual opinions of what would be
an equitable basis on winch demobilization of the armed forces should
be carried out at the close of the war, I venture the following suggestions
in the order of their importance, as I see them.
F’irst; all married men with children and those (single or married)
over' 3U years of age. The former is an unquestionable choice to any
state of mind; the latter deserve the chance for early rehabilitation so
that, they may get settled into a normal married family life.
Second, married men who have 18 months of overseas service and
those over 2b years of age with two years overseas.
Third, those who have been two years or more overseas and have
seen action, when this displacement will not weaken our positions.
Fourth, those who are either married, have dependents or are over
26 years of age provided they have more than two years of service
anywhere.
Fifth, those married or with dependents regardless of age or service.
Beyond this, discharges could be made according ta years of service.
I realize that this is but a basic outline of the classes and divisions
warranting consideration to fully answer your query and 1 only offer
this in a manner of discussion and comparison with others.
Tec 4 Max Zipper, Signal Corps.
Editor, White Falcon:
In response to your'appeal on how EM feel on who should receive
discharges when hostilities cease, we write this:
We all feel like heading home, but we know all can’t be released at
once or en masse. Some must remain, whether it is liked or not, longer
than others. . „ l_i» .l.j -i^xUa
Priority must be given to those who will bring our country back
to normal as quickly as possible. This may be obtained first by releas-
ing married soldiers with children or soldiers with dependents or with both.
Secondly, we feel married men should be released — so we can re-
establish the home which is a necessary aid for a prosperous America.
It is a prime requisite.
Next, those who have had service overseas for any length of time
regardless of combat or non-combat duty.
We know that many men who have never seen combat never wished
it that way and any GI will admit it to himself.
Then, those remaining who don’t wish to remain in the service be
released as rapidly as possible.
During this period, every effort should be made to send men back
-tc the States who wish it and be replaced by those who have stayed in
•the States. Also, whenever possible, to have the men sent as close to
.home as can be arranged.
This will not be fair in all cases. It will be up to those placed in
•charge to arrange special transfers, furloughs or any help possible in
their power to aid these men. -.
Y
Pfc. Dolinsky, Cpl. Cork, Pvt.
Baill, Pfc. Sherriff, Pfc. Yinnisk,
Pvt. Eckhart, Cpl. Brewer, Pfc.
Burchett, Pfc. Trail, Pfc. McCor-
mick, Pfc. Shove and Pvt. Drob-
nock. (All these men are in the
AAA.)
tl
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