By FRANK KARSHIS
Army tanks from Boston’s East Newton Street Armory will shortly be rumbling to Norwood for active use here about March 15 on a transfer from the intown depot. According to word received from Lt. Francis De Vautour, Commanding Officer of Norwood’s National Guard Co. M, a new tank company is to be organized which will train in unison with the present infantry here.
Lt. William Anderson, now completing his advanced training at Ft. Benning, Georgia will take command of the tanks when he returns home early next month. Lts. De Vautour and Anderson both will be commanding officers of their respective branches in a combined homeguard unit.
Colonel Daniel Murphy, regimental commander of the 101st. infantry noted with interest that Lts. De Vautour and Anderson came to Norwood the same time as Platoon Scargents after the last war; and have served very closely together in the service since.
On their distinguished war record both lieutenants received their commissions. Both became platoon leaders the same time and were soon named officers.
Lt. De Vautour served overseas in the OSC and was a member of a parachute force which infiltrated behind enemy lines. Lt. Anderson served as an aerial gunner with the air force. Both officers have distinguished themselves in their country’s service, and continue in the homeguard.
GUARD NOTES
will train between June 27 and July 11 at Camp Drum, New York. Last year they left for combined training late in the summer This year outdoor training begins April 11-12 on a week-end mission to Wakefield’s Camp Curtis Guild, and again on May 23-24 for their second such trip.
All this outdoor training is extra duty at which the 26th Division personnel will fire in competition for rifle, carbine, pistol and machine gun qualifications. Norwood’s National Guard team of Sgts. Patsy Famiglieti of Walpole, James Kelley of Norwood and Pfc. Frank McLean of Wrentham rated as state champions as machine gunners for the second year on the September shooting results earning for themselves gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)