George
Catlett Marshall
Joe
Lipsius
Hq 272nd Infantry Regiment
Joseph Lipsius
Today,
"members of the greatest generation" recall this name with awe and reverence.
Back at
Camp Shelby in 1944 while serving as S-3 of the 272nd Infantry Regiment, Regimental
Commander Charles T. "Buck" Lanham informed me that General
Marshall was visiting Camp Shelby to make an inspection.
One of the thing he wanted to see was a rifle company of the 272nd put on
a demonstration of a "Rifle Company In the Attack."
In later years, I would
learn our regiment was selected because
"Buck" Lanham was one of
his most admired young officers from their service at Ft Benning together, as
well as from Lanham's skill in creating Field Manuals while on this
assignment in Washington, and his success in making military training films with
film maker Darryl F. Zanuck, founder of 20th Century Fox Studios.
Accompanying
the General to witness the demonstration was the Camp Commander, whose name I
don't recall, Major General Charles L. Bolte and Brigadier General Floyd L.
Parks, Commander and Assistant Commander of the 69th Infantry Division, at the
time. No doubt other dignitaries
were with the entourage.
The
Company that was selected by Colonel Lanham was thought to be the best trained
Rifle Company in the Regiment. I
wish I remembered which Company was involved but I don't. I am hoping a Company
member who took part will write me!
I
accompanied Colonel Lanham to the demonstration being his Operations Staff
Officer.
My main remembrance
of the event is that after the demonstration, the Company was
assembled and seated in front of General Marshall where he spoke to them for a
few minutes. I will never forget
the earnest and solemn talk he made in his steady deliberate manner bringing the war to us
and our part in it. When he
finished speaking, the Company arose and all saluted the General,
He turned and left.
After
hearing General Marshall's inspiring talk, I am sure we all returned to our
training with vigor to become
better trained soldiers and take part in ending the war.
I remember
George Catlett Marshall.