D Company Return Planned – WWI

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When Marion residents heard of the arrival of the Rainbow Division back to the United States, they eagerly awaited the arrival of the D Company Boys. They quickly started making arrangements to welcome not only the men of D Company, but also all of the other soldiers, sailors and marines who were expected to start arriving back to hometown Marion, Ohio.

A previous article that details the July Fourth Celebration being planned here in this article can be found at July Fourth Celebration 1919.

From the Marion Daily Star dated May 3, 1919

(Article 1)
NOT KNOWN WHEN 166th
REGIMENT IS TO LEAVE

International News Service Wire
to Star Says.

A special from New York to the Star over the International News service wire today states that it is not known when the 166th regiment will leave Camp Merrit, New Jersey.
Marion’s D company is with this company.

(Article 2)
D COMPANY SOLDIERS
MAY COME IN AUTOS

If Arrangements Can Be Made
at Camp Sherman.

HOMECOMING COMMITTEE
MAKING GREAT PLANS

My! What a Tie Everybody
Will Have When the Boys
Come Home.

“When the boys come home.”
The entertainment committee for the celebration at their homecoming held a meeting last evening at the war board’s office in the Y.M.C.A. building to make further plans for the celebration to be held by the citizens for all soldiers and sailors as soon as all who are coming back in the near future have returned.
Arrangements are being considered for a big dinner to be given for the soldiers either in connection with the elaborate Fourth of July celebration or before. Plans are also being made to welcome D company upon its return in a manner which will reflect the feeling of the citizens of the county toward all those who went to fight for their country. The city will be gally decorated with flags and bunting and the spirit of rejoicing which characterized armistice day will be repeated. All the stores and factories will probably be closed, friends of the boys from all over the county will be here, and Marion will give herself over to a rousing, “Welcome Home!”
D Company in Columbus
It is thought that D company will arrive in Columbus next Wednesday enroute to Camp Sherman, where it will be mustered out. All the men of the Rainbow division who will be mustered out at Camp Sherman will parade in Columbus and that city is making extensive preparations to welcome them for Ohio.
Delegations from all over Ohio will be present to get a first glimpse of their boys who have been gone so long and many former members of the old O.V.I. and O.N.G companies will be in line. Marion will be represented and will take along a band and drum corps.
Seats for Relatives.
The committee has arranged for seats in the reviewing stand for the relatives of the Marion boys who are returning and will march in the parade. All near relatives of members of D company who expect to go to Columbus can obtain reservations for seats to view the parade free of charge from the home-coming entertainment committee at the war board office next Monday afternoon and evening.
Special efforts are being made by the transportation committee to arrange for Interurban and railway accommodations, but as all available cars will probably be taxed to the utmost, all who have opportunity will probably make the trip by automobile.
Bring Them Back in Autos.
It s now the plan of the entertainment committee to have automobiles from Marion go down to Camp Sherman and bring the boys all back in machines after they are mustered out.
This will probably be about a week after they are in Columbus.
A committee from Marion will go to Camp Sherman after the parade in Columbus and find out if it will be possible for all the Marion boys to be mustered out at one time.
As soon as possible after the boys have all returned it is planned to have a real get together affair of all soldiers of the county for a feed and probably an entertainment afterward.
It is as yet undecided whether this will be in the nature of a banquet which would probably have to be held in two halls at once as there is no hall in Marion large enough to accommodate them all or a barbecue out in the open in connection with a basket picnic for their relatives and friends.
And on Fourth of July
The Fourth of July celebration which is being planned for this year in honor of the homecoming of soldiers and sailors will eclipse anything that Marion has ever seen. There will be something doing all day long, a basket picnic, races and contests, probably a ball game between army and navy men, and a number of special fireworks displays in the evening.
The executive committee composed of Mayor A.J. Hunter, James A. Williams, Frank Knapp and G Cornelius Baker, with the assistance of Marion County War board is conducting a fund-raising campaign to defray the expenses of these celebrations.
Everyone in the county is asked to contribute a dollar to give all the boys a hearty welcome home. Buttons bearing the slogan, “They’re Back.” are given to every one who contributes for this purpose. Boy scouts are busy on the streets today selling the buttons to all who want to help welcome back the boys and several young ladies are stationed at the Victory arch, which is being erected at the square, for the same purpose. The buttons are also for sale in practically all of the important stores, banks, etc., of the county.
The entertainment committee is composed of G Cornelius Baker, chairman, Millard Hunt, Michael C. O’Brien, R.G. Allen, Arthur King, Earl T. Smart, George G. Kleinmaler, John J Stafford, L. Don Jones, Harold Compton, Frank Martin and Major E.H. Cowan.

(Article 3)
HERE ARE TWO MARION
RAINBOWS NOW AT HOME

They Are Earl L. Holliday and
Lester Williams

earlHere is Earl L. Holliday, overseas wounded soldier, who was honored by being sent to New York as special Marion county representative to greet the Rainbow boys, his old comrades, upon their return on the Leviathan.
lesterWith Holliday is shown a picture of Lester Williams, of Marion, one of Holliday’s boon companions over in France.

 

 

 

(Article 4)
Everybody Loves a Rainbow and Here
Are Some Rainbow Officers You’ll Like

LeviathanEverybody loves a Rainbow. Here is a photo of Ohio Rainbows taken just after they landed from France on the Leviathan. The picture is one of Underwood & Underwood’s copyrighted ones, and there is none better. Left to right: Captain Riley, Colonel B.W. Hough, Colonel Finley and Lieutenant Colonel Stanley, of the 166th infantry of the Rainbow division, on the Leviathan.

(Article 5)
Homer Seiter Lands
Dr. and Mrs. J.G. Seiter of No. 383 south Main street, have received the news of the safe arrival from overseas of their son, Homer Seiter, who is at Camp Merrit, New Jersey. The young man spent ten months in a casual camp, at Saumer, France. He expects to be transferred to Camp Sherman to receive his discharge from the service.

Marion Man’s Song Given Place in War Record of Famed Battleship Pennsylvania

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From the Marion Star May 31, 1946

Marion Man’s Song Given Place in War
Record of Famed Battleship Pennsylvania

By John R. Elliott

When the good ship USS Pennsylvania goes to her fate in the atomic bomb test this summer, her battle-weary decks may still be echoing the words of a song written by a Marion naval veteran.
And chances are her decks will be spotless, according to Robert G. Haldeman of 183 Silver street, who was moved to write a set of lyrics about them. The song, “Sweep Down,” appeared in the newly published war record of the Pennsylvania, which was recently distributed to all her former crew members. The attractive volume was free to the men, being paid for from the ship’s fund.
Haldeman, former lieutenant (junior grade), served 23 months on the Pennsylvania during her Pacific activities. Her record is well known to naval men (especially Japanese), but only Pennsylvania men knew of her combat record of spotless decks.
Battle or no, the ship’s executive officer, one Commander Jackson, loved to see clean decks, Haldeman recalled. While the ship was firing in such famous engagements as Peleliu,, Eniwetok and others, Commander Jackson would have part of the crew swabbing down the decks on the peaceful side.
It was after Eniwetok that Haldeman was inspired. The song caught on and the men liked it, but tried not to make it so popular that Commander Jackson would hear of it.
“He heard about it though,” Haldeman said. “It cost me a seven mile trip in a motor whale boat.”
The commander, now known as “Sweep Down” Jackson, after confirming Haldeman’s authorship of the ditty, sent him on an unpleasant ride in a little craft.
Haldeman was in naval service from March of 1943 to November of 1945. He is married, has one daughter and is now associated with the Probst Supply Co.
The Pennsylvania built up a glorious record since its commissioning 30 years ago this coming June 12, but engaged in no battles until this war.
On December 7, 1941, she was in dry-dock at Pearl Harbor. She had been scheduled to leave the day before for another dock, but ran into delays which probably saved her from destruction by the Jap attack.
She was badly battered and ships around her were hurt worse, but in less than two weeks the Pennsylvania sailed out of Pearl Harbor to avenge the attack.
The Japs missed a formidable foe when they failed to sink her December 7. The Pennsylvania survived to participate in 13 major engagements and roamed the Pacific from the Aleutians to Sydney, Australia.
In the award of the Navy Unit Commendation to men of the Pennsylvania, it was pointed out that between May 4, 1943, and Feb. 10, 1945, the gallant old ship was the only battleship to take part in every combat amphibious operation from Attu to Lingayan. “xxxxx Intensive fire from her batteries blazed the way for our assault waves in the Gilberts, the Marshalls and the Mariannas, silencing the enemy’s heavy coastal guns, locating and neutralizing and rendering sturdy support for our land forces.” It was the only battle ship to receive the unit citation.
USSPennThe Pennsylvania, carrying normally about 3,400 men, was tops in firing. The ship records show that in the assault on Guam, the batteries hurled out 26,400 rounds of ammunition, “probably a greater amount of ammunition than any other ship has ever fired during a single operation.”
Mr. Haldeman recalled that the ship fired for 12 days straight during the Guam assault.
The ship had its own casualties to. She was hit by a torpedo near the close of the war off Okinawa, and missed the surrender ceremonies. She limped across the Pacific by stages and pulled into Puget Sound in October, shipping water and with one screw turning.
She had traveled nearly 150,000 miles during the war.
Haldeman’s song follows:

“SWEEP DOWN”
-1-
The enemy was all about in waters clear and blue.
The Captain asked the next in line just what he ought to do.
The next in line just thought a while and then he made a reply;
“My Captain, this is what I think we really out to try;

Sweep down, sweep down, sweep down all the day.
The decks are clean as they can be, but sweep down anyway.

-2-
The enemy was closing fast, our guns were all alert.
The Captain chanced to glance about and spied a speck of dirt.
“Secure your guns and man your brooms,” the Captain then did shout.
The Navigator grabbed the wheel, and turned the ship about.

Sweep down, sweep down, sweep down all the day.
The decks are clean as they can be, but sweep down anyway.

-3-
When once again the sweeping crew made the decks aglow,
We turned about and stared in to massacre the foe.
We sank the foe in record time, we didn’t waste a shell.
We never heard a word of praise, but just the Bos’n yel;

Sweep down, sweep down, sweep down all the day.
The decks are clean as they can be, but sweep down anyway.

Robert Gene Haldeman died 9 May 1987, and is buried in the Marion Cemetery. Robert G. Haldeman is remembered on the World War II Veterans Memorial Wall at the Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.

 

Halloween Riot of 1952 – Ohio Penitentiary

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The Ohio Penitentiary may be best known for its Fire of 1932, in which 322 inmates perished. But you may not have heard of the Halloween Riot of 1952. Marion’s Ohio National Guard (ONG) unit, C Company, responded to help quell the prisoners.

From The Marion Star dated November 10, 1952

Marion Guard
Unit Returns
From Pen Duty

After eight days of continuous guard duty at Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus, members of Marion Co. C, Ohio National Guard, returned to their homes late Saturday night.
The 53 men and three officers of the unit were called out Halloween night when a riot of some 2,000 convicts at the pen began.
The Marion company was the first ONG company to stand duty inside the penitentiary walls. They were equipped with automatic pistols and rifles for each man, and in addition had two light machine guns and three Browning automatic rifles with them. They stood duty at the pen on a two-hours-on, two-hours-off basis.
With prison officials in control of the convicts again, ONG staff officers sent the Marion guardsmen home about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Officers of the company are, Capt. Robert Canterbury of Columbus, Lt. Richard Bigford of near Caledonia, and Lt. James Melby of Marion.
Also taking part in guard duty at the Penitentiary was Major Robert F. Melby of Marion, who is operations officer for the First Battalion, 166th Infantry. He returned home Friday. During the riot period, Major Melby was in charge of a company of men.

 

Read More about the Halloween Riot of 1952

 

MM2 Ralph Hill Navy Veteran From Marion, Ohio

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Ralph Hill was born and raised in Marion, Ohio. He is a 1956 graduate of Harding High School. Ralph enlisted into the United States Navy looking for employment and wishing to serve his country. Mr. Hill was only 17 years old at the time of his enlistment and had not yet been able to secure work in Marion. Mr. Hill laughs as he recalls making only $69/month when he was first in the Navy.
Ralph Hill served on active duty in the Navy from 1956 until 1960, earning the rank of Machinist Mate 2nd Class. After being Honorably discharged he served in the Navy Reserves until 1976. Mr. Hill attended basic training at Bainbridge, Maryland, and was part of the last group of basic trainees to train at Hadegrave due to a fire that destroyed the wooden barracks. RHillEssex005Mr. Hill went on to get his training in HVAC/Refrigeration units.
Ralph Hill first served on the USS Proteus (AS-19). The Proteus was Fulton-class submarine tender. While in Newport, Rhode Island, Ralph was still only 17 when he and another sailor were given the duty to transport the payroll. Ralph said they were to pick it up and deliver it to the paymaster. He said in those days it was all in cash and it filled a large push cart. Hill said he was scared to death to be in charge of all that cash.
For most of his time Hill was assigned to the USS Essex. The USS Essex (CVA-9) was an aircraft carrier. Hill was aboard when the Essex participated in the NATO Exercise Strikeback. The Essex later deployed with the 6th Fleet until May 1958, when it diverted to the eastern Mediterranean. Alerted to the Middle East Crisis, the Essex supported the US landings in Beirut, Lebanon, launching reconnaissance and patrol missions. It was here that Hill was assigned as a machine gunner, to which he had never been trained.

RHillEssex006.jpeg
R. Hill on right in front of desalination unit

Hill’s normal duties on the Essex was operation and maintenance of the ship’s desalination units, which converted seawater into fresh water. He also worked with the equipment that recycled and clarified oil.
Hill’s time in the Navy began shortly after the Navy became integrated. He said that he was in an integrated basic training unit and later assigned to ships that were integrated. But the Navy at that time was still assigning colored troops to cooks and service jobs. Hill said his records indicated mistakenly that he was caucasian, when in fact he is colored. He feels this is why he was trained in refrigeration engineering and not as a cook. He says it took a long time to get his records corrected.

RHillEssex007
R. Hill second from left

Even though the Navy and other services were desegregated, Hill said that when he and others went in town the colored service members were told they would not be served or were to sit in the balcony at the theaters. Hill didn’t want to cause trouble, but his Navy buddies, one an Italian American, were not used to this discrimination and put hands on theater staff. Hill had to calm his friend and assure him that they were not to cause trouble. Even on the docks of Africa’s Gold Coast, signs were posed that non-whites were to be back aboard ship before dark.
Hill states that he was treated fairly by his fellow sailors, but when returning to Marion, Ohio, he experienced racial discrimination. He was told there were no jobs by an employee of the employment office. Friends had asked him why he didn’t come to where they got jobs. He then contacted a supervisor at the main employment office and was offered a job. He would later secure a job at the BF Goodrich plant in Marion. Here he found out that other employees were told he was crazy. Another employee, Everet McCombs, befriended Hill and when the others saw that he got along began to speak to him.
Hill was also a barber here in Marion, behind the old Meister’s drug store. He said he enjoyed working there and liked the neighborhood atmosphere and relationships with the customers.
Hill is proud to have served in the Navy and feels that every young man should serve his country. Ralph Hill still lives in Marion, Ohio, and enjoys fishing, hunting and spending time woodcarving.

193
R. Hill top row 6th from left.

Sadly Ralph Hill passed away only days after this article posted.

WWI Navy Ship Torpedoed With Marion Man Aboard, 15 August 1918

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The following story from The Marion Daily Star tells of the dangers at sea while crossing the Atlantic delivering troops and supplies to Europe. It also shows how men from Marion, Ohio, were able to meet up and share some time together while far from home.

The German u-boat that sunk the USAT Montanan, was later identified as the U-90.

O’Brien Boat Sunk
From The Marion Daily Star dated September 14, 1918

MARION LAD ABOARD
BOAT THAT IS SUNK
Francis O’Brien, Home on Furlough,
Tells About It.

TORPEDO HITS MONTANAN
AMIDSHIPS ON PORT SIDE

Two Others Miss, O’Brien Says
in Interview Today – Makes
Nine Trips Across.

After being on a torpedoed boat and rescued by a submarine chaser 500 miles off the French coast, Francis O’Brien son, of Mr. and Mrs. William O’Brien, of No. 350 east George street, arrived in the city last evening for a ten-days’ furlough before returning to his ship.
O’Brien enlisted in the navy in Cleveland two years ago and is now a second-class boatswain’s mate. He has made nine trips across the Atlantic to France. Last year the ship on which he was sailing was in the same convoy that took members of D company to France. After landing in France, O’Brien hunted up members of the company and had a long chat with many of his friends, who were in the company.

O’Brien Tells About It.

This morning O’Brien told a reporter the story of the sinking of the Montanan, on which five men were lost. He said:
“I was going across on the United States supply ship, Montanan. At 5:55 p. m. August 15, while we were at mess, the shrill whistle of the Montanan signaled that a U-boat was attacking. We were 500 miles from the French coast and had just been picked up by a destroyer two hours before. There was a heavy swell.
“The crew rushed on deck and formed for a lifeboat drill. We saw three torpedoes streaking through the water directly at the Montanan. Captain William Lyons, on the bridge, ordered our course changed and two of the torpedoes passed. The third, however, struck the ship amidship on the port side.

Seven Lifeboats Shattered.

One of the seven lifeboats were blown to bits. Another was smashed and seven men thrown into the water when the ship listed as the boat was being lowered.
“A block fell from the hoisting apparatus and struck an armed signal guard on the head, killing him instantly. Three of the crew of another armed guard were drowned.
“Meanwhile, though the torpedoes had struck near our engine room, none there were hurt. The men shut off the supply of oil that was feeding the engines, thus preventing an explosion.
“Five lifeboats took the water safely. The eighty-one members of our crew that survived were picked up by the armed pleasure yacht, Norma, formerly owned by the Vanderbilts.

Land Three Days Later.

We were transferred to another ship and landed at a French port three days later.
“Four of our officers when they saw that the ship was not sinking boarded her again and removed valuable papers. She did not sink for twenty-one hours. While on board the yacht we heard another explosion and later learned that the ship, Westbridge, had also been torpedoed.
“Although ships of the convoy cruised about in the vicinity they saw no signs of the submarine and could not tell whether on or two had attacked. Depth bombs were dropped, but we never heard whether they got the sub or not.”
O’Brien will be in the city about ten days.