USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Westminster > A History of Westminster, Massachusetts, 1893-1958 > Part 7
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General Miles's first book was published in 1896 by the Werner Company in Chicago under a formidable title even for that day:
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF GENERAL NELSON A. MILES Embracing a Brief View of the Civil War Or From New England to the Golden Gate and The Story of His Indian Campaigns with Comments on Exploration, Development and Progress of Our Great Western Empire
This large, handsome 590-page volume was illustrated not only with many of the incomparable oils of Frederic Remington, but
79
A PROFILE OF GENERAL NELSON A. MILES
also with a wealth of drawings and sketches by other artists. It is a unique and fascinating chronicle of the opening of the West. There is much firsthand information, written with sympathy and understanding, about the American Indian tribes of the period.
A later book appeared under the contrastingly brief title Serving the Republic .* It is a shorter work, unillustrated, and more in the nature of a conventional autobiography.
The General never seemed to lose any of his enormous energy, even when well past eighty. After retirement he became Adjutant General of the Massachusetts Militia, forerunner of the National Guard. He was given honorary degrees from Harvard, Brown and Colgate.
Never did he hesitate to name names whenever he thought his beloved army was being mistreated. There were many scandals in his time concerning faulty equipment and food, even condemned or putrefied meat, sold to the quartermasters by unscrupulous dealers and manufacturers. And when it came to sheer, rock-ribbed in- dependence, Miles had a vast headstart on those later generals we think of as truculent or headstrong.
For Miles not only fought bitterly with one administration or with one president, he quarreled with President Cleveland and his War Secretary, Lamont; he quarreled with Mckinley and Alger; he quarreled with Roosevelt and Root; and lastly, over the question of returning to service, with Wilson.
Throughout his long and crowded life, Miles always returned to Westminster and visited his brother and sister whenever he could. On many occasions he was expected to be a guest of honor or a featured speaker, and he felt it was his duty to comply if possible.
He became an honorary member of the town's Historical Society, and took a keen interest in the library, where his portrait and many valuable relics of his life are now displayed. The painting shows a stocky, handsome man with a white mustache; the face at first glance seems somewhat austere, with its Roman nose and square jaw; but the artist has also caught the kindness and understanding of the man beneath the military bearing.
Why has so little been written about this extraordinary personal- ity since his death? Perhaps it is because he led three lives in one- Civil War hero, Indian fighter, Spanish War commander-and the
* Harper & Brothers, New York, 1911.
80
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER
latter phase concerned a war that was to become unpopular, and relatively unimportant, to the public at large. Perhaps it was in part because he wrote, and spoke, in the somewhat stilted and formal manner that went quickly out of style even before his death. And beyond doubt the great concussions of two World Wars obscured the leading figures of the preceding period.
By 1925 the General had survived his wife by many years. Still in robust health, it was his yearly custom to take his grandchildren to the circus. (Picture the old Indian Fighter explaining the Wild West Show to the delighted children!) It was in the packed seats under the big tent that he fell dead of a heart attack. Mrs. Coolidge, wife of the President, was also in the audience; but she did not know, until after the show was over, the identity of the old man who had been quietly carried outside.
& Chapter Thirteen
WAR YEARS AND MILITARY RECORDS
ON READING THROUGH FILES of the Historical Society in the peaceful year of 1958, one feels that the mass of material on wartime activi- ties is very impressive. That such a small town could have done so much, given so much, now appears remarkable. Perhaps West- minster was not more patriotic than many other places-in any case, it is hard to see how its record could have been excelled.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
Of the Spanish War-first to come within the scope of this book -it may be said that very few Americans were involved compared to later conflicts. Westminster must have sent more men than many a larger town has on its rolls. The Massachusetts military archives show the following, besides the famous native son, General Miles, who led the army to Cuba:
Sgt. George D. Buckley Pvt. William H. Stockwell
Pvt. Alfred W. Eaton Pvt. Charles W. Taylor
Pfc. Carl A. Raymond
Pvt. George B. Taylor
Stockwell enlisted from Gardner, but lived in Westminster and was a member of the V.F.W. until his death in 1956. He served as chief marshal of the Memorial Day exercises for fifty years.
There is always much difficulty in compiling Honor Rolls for individual towns, even in later times when records are better kept. Certain men enlist far from home, or in towns of temporary resi- dence. In many cases there is an open question as to the town to which a soldier should be accredited.
The above-mentioned seven names are found on a bronze tablet
81
82
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER
set on a small boulder, near the Town Hall. But in an account of the 50th Anniversary of Sons of Union Veterans in 1939, we find the following: "In 1898 there were a number of members of this Camp [Cyrus K. Miller Camp 101] who enlisted in the Spanish American War. Brother Carl Raymond enlisted in the Ist Regular Volunteers and went to Porto Rico, Brother Dudley Towle in the 6th Mass. and also went to Porto Rico and Brother Henry Mirick in the 2nd and went to Sandiago."
It would appear that Towle did not come to Westminster until after the war. Later wars were to see many of that name listed from Westminster. Mirick's family were summer residents.
WORLD WAR I
During the quarter-century following the Spanish War, the town changed very little in population. Yet by the end of World War I, according to the local Honor Rolls, sixty-two Westminster men had joined their country's services.
WORLD WAR I
Battles, Roger W.
Haskell, Alfred A.
Barrett, Ernest T.
Havener, Daniel W.
Ballou, Frank E.
Hetu, J. Henry
Bell, Hervey W.
Hicks, A. Charles
Bell, C. Robert Hicks, Ernest C.
Cannon, Aldron A.
Hodge, Charles
Cannon, George F.
Holmes, Thomas H.
Cannon, Robert
Houghton, Roland C.
*Cannon, Rollin M.
Howard, Harry N.
Clark, Ralph W.
Hurd, Arno E. Jr.
Curtis, Henry L.
LaFortune, Arthur
Derby, Paul E.
LaFortune, Edward
Durling, Ray K.
LaFortune, Ernest
Eaton, Arthur G.
Matson, Carl W.
Fugere, Emile
Mckay, William
Hanks, Richard T.
Merriam, Charles S.
Harris, Leslie E.
Merriam, Spenser H.
* Killed in action
83
WAR YEARS AND MILITARY RECORDS
Merriam, Winfred E.
Sargent, Chester E.
Miller, Guy L.
Sargent, John A.
Miller, Henry H.
Sprague, Streeter G.
Miller, John J.
Stockwell, Raymond I.
Miller, Walter A.
Stockwell, Roy W.
*Miller, William S. Mossman, George, M.D.
Sylvester, Leroy H.
Page, Benjamin H.
Towle, Charles D. Towle, Harold A.
Parilla, Emil
Towle, Laurence C.
Perkins, Thomas J.
Townsend, Prescott
Raymond, Emory J.
Whitney, Joseph F.
Rice, Arthur K.
Whitney, Richard A.
Robbins, Wayland
Withington, Arthur E.
Sargent, Carl A.
Withington, Harry E.
With so many of their boys in the service, Westminster home folks gave the war effort their unstinting contributions. By 1917, Liberty Loans and War Savings Stamps were heavily subscribed, and an expanded Red Cross and other wartime agencies initiated.
Women of the town started their own organization, called the Special Aid Society, in May. Officers: the Reverend Lucy Milton Giles, President; Mrs. Edith M. Griffin, Vice-president; Mrs. Laura M. Miller, Secretary; Miss Ada Mossman, Treasurer.
Until disbanded November 11, 1918, this group met weekly and produced over a thousand articles for the men overseas. Funds were raised from drives and benefits, to which the town added an official appropriation of $1000 for war purposes. Christmas boxes went to all Westminster men in service, and surplus articles were given to the Red Cross.
WORLD WAR II
By the advent of World War II a very pronounced change had taken place in Westminster. Subsequent to recovery from the depression, there had been an influx of new families throughout the town. Some of these had reclaimed the old farms. Some engaged in various other local occupations, while probably the majority of
* Killed in action
84
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER
the men commuted to nearby industrial centers. The following 22 1 names, taken from the Honor Roll of World War II, plainly show a large number of residents with north-European ancestry, together with many names of French, Italian and other derivations. Here as elsewhere in the nation, the new settlers hastened to the defense of their country.
HONOR ROLL-WORLD WAR II
Aalto, Wilho S.
Charbonneau, Fred
Adams, Charles P.
Chatigny, Walter E.
Adams, Kenneth O.
Clark, Harold D.
Aho, Arvo
Conant, Richard H.
Aiken, Gilbert F.
Dunn, Paul E., M.D.
Arcangeli, Dante
Dunn, Paul W.
Arcangeli, Giocondo
Eaton, Corliss
Arcangeli, Victor
Fenno, Frank W., Jr.
Archer, Aubrey St. C.
Fogg, Norman W.
Baker, Chester J.
French, Marshall R.
Balzer, Rudolph G.
Friberg, Arthur
Barthel, Leon P.
Friberg, Frank F.
Bates, Earl
Friberg, Paul A.
Beaulieu, Priscilla
Beauregard, Roland J.
Gage, Lester
Bevis, Dana L.
Gage, William S.
Boucher, Alfred J.
Gallant, Alvin A.
Braks, Frank J.
Gerzadowicz, Anthony C.
Braks, Klaus L.
Gilliland, Eugene F.
Braks, Tauno F.
Goguen, Alvida Y.
Brooks, James V.
Goguen, Doris
Bruno, Edward
Gosselin, Anna
Carlson, Aili
Grahn, Donald
Carpenter, Bruce
Grant, James P.
Carpenter, Harry D.
Hakkila, Raymond F.
Carpenter, Howard A.
Havener, Robert A.
Chalmers, Harold E.
Hayton, Barbara
Gage, Franklin B.
Bilson, Kirwan A.
Gagnon, Hector H.
Boucher, Robert J.
Gates, Willard
Engman, George E.
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WAR YEARS AND MILITARY RECORDS
Heisson, Ivar J. Hicks, Lawrence M. Hicks, Raefield M. Hill, Richard Hines, Everett Hokkanen, Paul O.
Luoma, Thomas E. Luomala, Eero O. MacAloney, William B., Jr. MacConologue, John J.
Maki, Eino E. Maki, Toivo E.
Holm, Arthur V.
Maki, Toivo K.
Holmes, Arthur E.
Manninen, Eino H.
Holmes, Floyd T.
Mansur, Carl H.
Hurd, Roy E. Husari, Andrew
Mansur, Roy C. Marsh, Leonard W.
Innerasky, Herbert M.
Mason, Robert C.
Jaaskalainen, Eino
Mattson, Arthur T.
Jamsa, William J.
Mayranen, Wilho W.
Janhunen, Otto A.
Merriam, Anne
Johnson, Raymond A.
Merriam, Arthur E.
Kahkola, Eli P.
Merriam, Charles R.
Kangas, Leo. J.
Merriam, Charlotte
Karvonen, Ellen I.
Medlin, Ralph E.
Karvonen, Oiva E.
Miller, Adelbert P.
Kelty, Lester J.
Miller, Richard R.
Kinnari, Waino K.
Minkkinen, George W.
Knight, Calvin G.
Moore, Robert
Kujanpaa, Paul W.
Morse, Howard A.
Kurikka, Einar A.
Muhlbach, Walter L.
Laine, Armas A.
Muhonen, E. Edwin
Muhonen, Harold
Nappila, Tauno K.
Leavenworth, Allen L.
Nappari, Waino
Leavenworth, Gordon P.
Nelson, Albert
Newcombe, Douglas P.
Niemi, Eugene E.
Niemi, George J.
Niemi, Onni W.
Nikki, Urpo
LeMieur, Henry E.
Noble, Thomas F.
Norris, William H.
Nygard, Wilho K.
Lanoue, Wilfred H., Jr.
Laughton, Herbert H.
Leavenworth, Robert P. LeClair, Edward J. Leikkanen, Weikko W. LeMieur, Benjamin F. LeMieur, Flora A.
Lombard, Vincent A. Luoma, Robert J.
86
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER
Ogilvie, Robert
Strom, Sigfrid H.
O'Hearn, Daniel J.
Sunne, Walter H., Jr.
Ojala, John, Jr. Page, Edward H.
Sunne, Wayne A.
Sutela, Eino
Parnanen, William
Sutela, Frederick E.
Parviainen, Eino C.
Terrill, Edward R.
Pesola, Neilo M.
Terrill, Robert H.
Peterson, Onni J.
Thomas, George
Pettingell, Donald V.
Towle, Calvin H.
Rameau, Ernest E.
Towle, Chester M.
Raymond, Eldredge M.
Towle, Donald E.
Reed, Charles O.
Towle, Harold A., Jr.
Reed, Earle L.
Towle, Warren W.
Reynolds, Charles S.
Trudell, Arthur F.
Reynolds, Kenneth
Tuuri, Eugene W.
Rivers, George
Tuuri, Tenho O.
Robillard, Aime J.
Tuomi, Lempi H.
Robillard, Albert J.
Vaicuilis, Frank J.
Robillard, Wilfred J.
Vaicuilis, Leo J.
Roiha, Armas A.
Vieweg, Herman A.
Roper, Harold J.
Vincent, Hermon C.
Rossner, Albert G.
Wainio, William W.
Sakkinen, John
Walker, Harry W.
Sargent, Carl A.
Walker, Sidney
Sargent, Chester C.
Wallace, Raymond B.
Sargent, Chester E.
Waronen, Allen A.
Savilampi, Eino O.
Wasara, Reino M.
Savola, Arne
Welles, Charles S.
Shimkunas, Steven J.
Whitney, Gordon B.
Siegle, Richard W.
Wilen, Toivo A.
Siitonen, Harry W.
Wilson, Ernest C.
Sivula, Matti W.
Winter, Howard W.
Skorko, Andrew P.
Wintturi, Harry B. Wintturi, Helvi I.
Skorko, Charles S.
Wintturi, Walter W.
Steinberg, Leupold
Wood, James L.
Stevenson, Hazel I.
Young, Ralph E.
Stevenson, Roland C.
Wasara, Lauri V.
Skorko, Benedict A.
Walker, Leo
Sakkinen, William H.
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WAR YEARS AND MILITARY RECORDS
KILLED IN ACTION
Darling, Edwin Friberg, Wayne W.
Ilves, Paul A.
Nelson, Edmond O.
Gilliland, William F.
Hicks, Douglas E.
Nye, Wendell A. Sakkinen, Urho
Patriotism was equally evident on the home front. A ration board was set up, bond drives organized, and a unit of the State Guard began training. James Murray was commissioned Lieuten- ant of the Guard. The Town voted one thousand dollars for uni- forms and equipment (part of which was later refunded).
Red Cross, defense activities, and scrap collections saw nearly every person in town, even the children, playing some part in what many felt would be a final war to end wars.
Physically the war did not affect Westminster. No war plants or military installations were located here. It was the postwar build- ing boom which was to bring the changes, rather than the war itself.
As for the citizens, they were no less occupied than elsewhere, answering the call for war-labor in the nearby cities of Gardner, Fitchburg and Worcester. Without sufficient gasoline the town of Westminster was somewhat stranded, but the people bore the short- age when it came with good grace.
Rationing was first applied to gasoline, later to other commodi- ties. The first Ration Board met in the Loughlin School-Albert E. Gates, William S. Johnson, William Hackett. When Mr. Hackett moved away he was replaced by Guy L. Cossaboom, who with the first two served for the remainder of the ration period.
When food and clothing were restricted, a panel was appointed consisting of Ernestine E. Adams, Linnea Poikonen, and Maurice P. Billings. Increased work later caused Mr. Billings to resign, and Thomas Morse succeeded him. When Mr. Morse moved away, Charles Albro was appointed and served for the duration.
Fuel oil rationing was administered by a board composed of Walker C. Brown, J. Philip Howard and James P. Hayton, the last- named being later replaced by Arthur K. Rice.
At the height of the work, an office was kept open five days a week in the Town Hall. Miss Ida Barrett handled the clerical
88
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER
work. Her pleasant manner and patience made her conduct of the job well remembered by Westminster citizens of those trying days. Records show that the board as a whole performed this most important and unrewarded task justly and efficiently.
THE SERVICE CLUB
The Westminster Service Club was formed in 1942 with much the same aims as the Special Aid Society of 1917. Active during World War II, and again during the Korean conflict, the club made a great contribution to service men and women, most especially with its monthly newsletters. Officers of the Service Club were Mrs. Howard Smith, Mrs. S. Edwin Story, Mrs. Eli Kahkola, Mrs. C. Herbert Mansur, Mrs. Vivian B. Whitney, Mrs. Nicholas Van Der Mark, and Mrs. Arthur K. Rice. The club secretary, K. Elizabeth Foster, gives an account of its activities:
"Shortly after we entered World War II a Service Club was formed by a group of women who were representatives of the various organizations of the town but under the sponsorship of the American Legion Auxiliary. As the name implies the club had for its purpose the befriending of Westminsterites in the armed serv- ices. Personal remembrances were sent to them on special occasions such as birthdays, Easter, and other holidays. The club had a little money gained by voluntary contributions, and by undertakings such as the serving of refreshments at the annual Firemen's Ball, which was used in filling boxes sent to the boys and girls at Christ- mas.
"Perhaps the project most enjoyed by them was the Service Let- ter, which was compiled and mailed more or less regularly to all the young people in uniform. The first letter, which was in charge of Mrs. Vivian B. Whitney, was mailed in January 1945, and the last of that series, the seventh, was posted in February 1946.
"The club remained inactive for some years but with the onset of the Korean conflict the letter began again, in 1953. Mrs. Whitney was still in charge with Mrs. Lois F. Innis and later Miss Doris M. Fenno as editors. The letters contained greetings from town offi- cials, church personnel, and interested citizens, as well as bits of
89
WAR YEARS AND MILITARY RECORDS
town news and excerpts from letters of the service men themselves, and their changes of address. The letters were discontinued in 1958, the last one mailed in February."
THE RED CROSS
An account of Westminster in wartime would not be complete without mention of the Red Cross. The Westminster branch of the American Red Cross was organized in May 1918 and set to work immediately preparing bandages and surgical dressings for the war effort. Its activities have expanded over the years to include sewing and preparation of food for military hospitals, as well as local relief and welfare work.
The founding officers of the local chapter were Mrs. Philip H. Loughlin, president; Frank Allen, vice-president; George L. Daw- ley, treasurer; and Mrs. Jessie L. Shepard, secretary. Committees were also appointed during World War I to assist in the relief of war-torn Europe, to launch a victory drive among school children, and to prepare Christmas boxes.
In peacetime the Red Cross continued its work, and in 1924 first started water-safety lessons that have continued to the present day. Currently nearly every school child in town is taught to swim under this program. The local branch assists Veterans' Hospitals, adminis- ters the Red Cross blood bank, and in times of crisis in Westminster has set up a canteen.
With the outbreak of war again in 1941, the Westminster Red Cross responded vigorously to the challenge. In the files of the Historical Society is the following brief account of the local chap- ter's efforts in World War II:
"During World War II the women of Westminster were called upon to help in many services, among them the making of surgical dressings, pads, and bandages, under the Red Cross program.
"In 1941 the town chairman of the Red Cross in Westminster, Mrs. Kaino Poikonen, appointed a committee consisting of Mrs. Arthur K. Rice, Mrs. Ralph Roper, and Mrs. Judson R. Foster. This committee was first sent to Fitchburg to learn the making, handling, and packing, in the production of surgical dressings. The
90
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER
American Legion generously offered their headquarters on Main Street. Later, having outgrown these quarters, we moved to the Town Hall, then to the upper floor at the Fire Station, where all work was carried on for the duration.
"Volunteers were called for and there was a fine response. Work was carried on one day each week. Many mothers and business- women, unable to volunteer for daytime work, asked for evening sessions. This plan proved as productive as the daytime sessions.
"Westminster can be very proud of its work. From March 27, 1941 to February 8, 1946, 188 workers, working 8548 hours, produced 283,209 dressings. Well over one million dressings were made in combination with the main chapter in Fitchburg, and com- mendation was awarded the chapter for its efforts."
THE KOREAN CONFLICT
Less than five years after the close of World War II, the country was once again involved in a military struggle, with the Com- munist attack on South Korea in June 1950. The story of the three- year Korean conflict was for Westminster little different than for any other town of its size in this region. But the Honor Roll, again, is more eloquent than anything we might write:
HONOR ROLL-KOREAN CONFLICT
Adams, Joseph C.
Dube, Edward J.
Aho, Waino W.
Dube, James H.
Andreasson, James
Dunn, Winston
Ball, Arnold H.
Eyles, Thomas H.
Barrett, Loring
Fenno, Frank W., Jr.
Barrett, Raymond
Goguen, Doris
Boudreau, Joseph R.
Gould, Richard
Burns, Herbert B.
Gould, Robert
Calamare, Anthony A.
Grant, John T.
Caswell, Donald E.
Grenier, Leo Hakkila, Raymond
Chalmers, Fred
Hall, Richard R.
Chatigny, Walter W., Jr. Davis, Richard A. Davis, Myles E.
Herold, W. Roger Hill, Thomas W.
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WAR YEARS AND MILITARY RECORDS
Honkala, Veikko Jaaskalainen, William Janhunen, Viljo E. Kowalewski, Paul V. Kujanpaa, Lauri Lane, George C. Lane, J. P. Lanoue, Eugene
Phillips, Bruce A. Pope, Gerald A. Provencal, Wilfred Rameau, Edward Rameau, Robert Rameau, Thomas
Rameau, Thomas J. Raymond, Emory A. Sargent, C. Craig
Lanoue, Robert Lawrence, Donald E. Loescher, Peter
Sargent, Chester E. Sliter, Donald L.
Luoma, Robert
Stevenson, Lorne
MacAloney, Raymond
Stone, Kenneth
Maki, Toivo
Stone, Russell A.
Sunne, Kenneth
Marsh, Neil Mason, George T.
Towle, Arnold G.
Meuer, Anthony J.
Towle, Kenwood
Meuer, Leonard T.
Towle, Robert
Morisette, Roland J.
Towle, Windsor
Morse, Frederick
Travers, James E.
Nichols, Phyllis
Turner, William H.
Niemi, Waino
Wisti, Wilho
Okkanen, Jack
Woodward, David B.
Among the sons of Westminster who have had distinguished careers in the United States armed forces, there are three whose names have been prominent in recent years: Rear Admiral Frank W. Fenno; Colonel Chester E. Sargent, Ret., and his son, Major Chester Craig Sargent.
REAR ADMIRAL FRANK W. FENNO, USN
Frank W. Fenno, Jr. first gained national fame as a submarine commander in the Pacific during World War II, and his exploits have been recounted in many books, newspapers and magazines. At the time of this writing, he is commanding officer of the naval base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
For the rest we turn to his service record:
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER
"Frank Wesley Fenno was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, on September 11, 1902, son of the late Frank W. and Mary Nichols Fenno. He was graduated from Fitchburg (Massachusetts) High School and attended the University of Maine for two years before his appointment in 192 1 to the United States Naval Academy, An- napolis, Maryland, from the Third Congressional District of his native state. As a Midshipman he was a member of the Academy baseball team for three years, and its captain in 1925. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 4, 1925, he subsequently ad- vanced to the rank of Captain, to date from July 20, 1943. His selection for the rank of Rear Admiral was approved by the Presi- dent on July 26, 1954, and confirmed by the Senate to date from July 1, 1954.
"Rear Admiral Fenno has served commendably in battleships, cruisers, and submarines. For service in submarines during World War II he received the Navy Cross with two gold stars, the Dis- tinguished Service Cross (Army), Silver Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and Presidential Unit Citation.
"Since the end of World War II he has served two tours of duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, has attended the National War College, commanded the Submarine Base at New London, Connecticut, served as Commander Submarine Flotilla One and as Chief of Staff to Commander Submarine Force Atlantic Fleet.
"Rear Admiral Fenno's recent assignments have been Chief of Staff to Commander United States Taiwan Defense Command, Commander Cruiser Division Five, and Commander Cruiser-De- stroyer Force, United States Pacific Fleet. He relieved Rear Admiral R. B. Ellis as Commander Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, on November 6, 1958."
COLONEL CHESTER E. SARGENT
Chester E. Sargent was born in Westminster in 1894. Like his fellow townsman, General Miles, he began his military career by enlisting in wartime. Though he had not attended a service acad- emy, his army record was sufficiently brilliant to earn him a post as Professor of Military Science at Harvard (1937-1940). A cavalry
GENERAL NELSON A. MILES
COLONEL CHESTER E. SARGENT
COL C.E. SARGENE
REAR ADMIRAL FRANK W. FENNO
+
sn
sn
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WAR YEARS AND MILITARY RECORDS
expert and former member of the army riding team which per- formed at the international horse shows, Colonel Sargent also coached the Harvard polo squad while in Cambridge.
In World War II Colonel Sargent had to make the inevitable switch from horses to tanks. After a series of important training posts in the United States, he was sent to Europe (1944-1945) and took part in the advance through France, Belgium, Holland and into Germany. He commanded a group composed of Netherlands infantry, Belgian Fusiliers, and American TD troops.
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