The 72nd Organization Day Program, 1933

14th Infantry Regiment

72nd Organization Day

Fort Davis, Canal Zone

1933

Post Theater 9:30 A.M

INVOCATION

OPENING ADDRESS

THE STORY OF THE REGIMENT

ADDRESS

Major General Preston Brown,

Commanding General, Panama Canal Department

MOTION PICTURES

The Seventy-Second Year

The 14th Infantry grows hoary with age. This 1933 celebration marks the passing of its 72nd birthday. During the three hundred and sixty-five days that have elapsed since our last festivities, more history has been added to the organization's long and varied experiences.

The past year has been an eventful one and full of interesting happenings for the personnel of the regiment. Verily, doth the old order change to become the new order. The world-wide economic upheaval and the daring quest for better ways of doing things has had its way with armies as well as other institutions. The pressure of the times has called for new alignments and new approaches. The fate of the 14th Infantry has been bound up with that of the country and world. It, too, has had to toe the mark in an era of multiplied demands.

Change dealt the first blow on the old, familiar close order drill. A new drill was developed at Fort Benning, Ga. When it was received at Quarry Heights, the 14th was chosen as the organization to give it a first try-out in the Panama Canal Department. One sunny morning "Squads right," "By the right flank" and that ancient bugaboo "Right front into line" were cast onto the waste-heap of time. The drill field resounded to the commands, "Dress right, Dress" and "Platoon mass left." There was confusion at first but this soon gave way to ease of execution and orderly ranks.

The Regimental Rifle Match was held mid-November. The weather was bad but this did not prevent the participants from good shooting and a fine display of sportsmanship. A team of consistent shooters from Co. "L" won the match with a score of 1534. These lads were closely followed by teams from Co. "A" and Co. "I" who ran up scores of 1519 and 1516, respectively.

The regiment managed to keep afloat during the torrential rains of December. During this deluge and for a time following, the thoughts of officers and men were turned toward Departmental Maneuvers. "To be or not to be?" was the question of the season. "To be!" And what maneuvers! Maneuvers with a modernistic touch. The Infantry rode and the Field Artillery flew. However, it is hardly possible for some to forget a certain hike. In company with our friends and allies, the 1st Coast Artillery, we hit the 'ard, 'ard pavement for eight sweltering weary miles.

The enemy was soundly whipped in the Bejuco Sector. Then, the troops moved to Fort Clayton to prepare for the Departmental Review. 

Soon after our return to Fort Davis the three-year foreign service tour became a reality. This news, while turning the plans of the majority of officers and men topsy turvy, was really a blessing. For almost a year, our large turnover always an obstacle to efficient training, was at a standstill. We had become a real unit rather than a number of men whose time was up almost before it started. Its course now plotted, the regiment plunged into qualification firing and the additional task of reconnoitering the trails of the Atlantic Sector.

The Qualification Season was an unqualified success. Co. "G" led the rifle companies with a high percentage of 99.2. Co. "L" followed with 96.5. Co. "D" led the machine gunners with a tally of 99.2 percent. The regiment had the excellent qualification percentage of 92.9. 132 men, of whom 22 had the high score of 320 or better, made the coveted rating of Expert Rifleman.

Trail reconnaissances are experiences that try the souls of men, and incidentally, their vocabularies also. Who can forget the first one? A seasick boat ride, followed by a fifteen-mile hike, which came to a crescendo in a hill--and what a hill!! Five hundred feet straight up. Nor can we forget the wanderings of Lt. Schas and his encounter with the snake! Some weeks later--the first time in the past six years--a party from the 14th penetrated the jungles to Cerro-Bruja via the East Ridge Trail. Success crowned this hard trip through uninhabited and practically uncharted wilds. Uninhabited, for the natives Cerro-Bruja, thanking the place haunted. It is--by wild turkeys upon which this expedition feasted for two days.

The month of March brought new grief. The fifteen percent cut was put into effect for officers and enlisted men. This was a real blow below the belt but it was taken with a grin. Never has the morale of the regiment been more severely tested and never has such a test been more courageously met.

It is only fair that the gains be described with the losses. Among these we hasten to mention BEER. Congress and the President gave us the foamy brew soon after the new Administration gained power. In due time, facilities for serving the amber fluid were set up in the Officers' Club and Non-Coms' "Buzzard's Nest," and the Post Exchange. There was a grand rush at first but it soon dawned upon the majority of minds that beer was here to stay and that there was to be no such thing as getting to the bottom of the kegs. Since then, coco-cola stock has been taking new courage.

There have been other material gains aside from beer. The 14th Infantry can point with pride to its well-kept grounds, its shiny, tiled kitchens, its beautiful library, and its modern restaurant. Noting that officers and men were in need of a place to hunt, fish, and relax from the daily grind, the Regimental Commander conceived the idea of a rest camp. Construction was started early in September. Today, the regiment boasts about its beautiful "Camp Rioline." This place of recreation joy is located on a breezy point of land at the mouth of the Chagres River, opposite historic Fort San Lorenzo. Its screened cabins, running water, and electric lights afford a comfortable, delightful spot far removed from garrison routine. Two large, sea-worthy boats, owned by the regiment, make this secluded spot easy of access.

Thus, the year has passed. The 14th Infantry has been tried and found not wanting. Can the government or time ask more?

RETURN