THE LOG OF COMPANY “B” SIGNAL CORPS
“THE BROADWAY OF THE THIRD REGIMENT”
THE OLD MAN
On July 31, 1924, there arrived at Camp Custer a collection of young men who were eventually to form one of the finest companies in the CMT Camp. They came by boat, by rail (riding the “blinds”), by
liner or any other available means of locomotion from towns ranging in size and location from Negaunee in the wilds of Upper Michigan and Carbondale in the still wilder country of “Little Egypt”, to the
great cities of Chicago and Detroit. Seventy-two strong they advanced upon and occupied the tents in Row 28. The strain of registering this angry mob fell on Eddie, the company clerk, and his assistant. (They
are both just recovering from writer’s cramp and over-worked tongues.)
We got off with a “bang” the following morning with issuing of pistols and beginning of preliminary instruction in marksmanship. It was pretty hard for the boys to relinquish their “Bill Hart” ideas
of shooting and “squeeze the trigger”. Captain Watson’s excellent instruction was largely responsible for our qualifying 35% as marksmen and sharpshooters. In spite of his most careful advice some of the
men persisted in shooting up the scenery. Stubler had a habit of banging away at imaginary Redskins, and McRae, our ex-sharpshooter, holds the record for blowing up paste pots.
With our pistol work done and no casualties listed, we turned our energies
to tasks relating more
to the Signal Corps. The two signal companies combined on this work and then were subdivided into three sections; message center under Captain Hoorn, wire under
Captain Watson and radio under Lieut. Shlosberg. Many of the men were somewhat familiar with line construction, a few were radio sharks and consequently little difficulty was experienced in these two sections.
But after listening to Captain Hoorn trace a message thru a message center we decided that “red tape” and “army efficiency” are one and the same thing.
However, all of our time was not devoted
to work. We developed a fast and furious basketball team comprised of Sattley and Staudt at forwards, Wallie Ardussi at center co-operating with his brother Ardie, at
running guard and Stubler and McRae alternating at standing guard. This outfit fought their way into the semi-finals when they were eliminated by last year's champs.
The volleyball team made a good showing also. The personnel were somewhat changeable but one of the most consistent stars was Hoban.
The American Red Cross Life Saving tests at Eagle Lake attracted a large number of embryo life guards and several qualified for the coveted medal and artistic badge.
Medals are not all that will be carried home from Camp Custer. A greater sense of loyalty to our flag and country, a more healthy body, and many new friendships are a few of the intangible but nevertheless
most valuable possessions of a man returning from “A Month in Training” at Camp Custer.
FAMOUS SAYINGS
“Runt” Page—"If that guy thinks I’m goin’ to take my shirt off for P. T. on a cold day like this....?"
Wallie Ardussi—"Well, I’ve got the form anyway."
Morale Officer Nason—"Something in regard to ‘Lizzards’ ".
Irish McGowan—"If I ever get hold of that Frenchman."
“Pug” Miller (Before retiring)—" Where’s my tent stake."
Hoban—"Now in the National Guards, we…………"
Ardie Ardussi—"Now let’s play this one Wallie."
Stubler-----"Boy, in the Navy you couldn't get away with that."
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