The News And Views

Onslow Guard Unit Wins Ft. Campbell Championship

Service Battery of the 690th Field Artillery Battalion, local National Guard outfit which was called to active duty in Jan. 1951, has really placed Onslow County's sports ability on top insofar as Fort Campbell, Ky is concerned.

During recent championship lay-offs at Fort Campbell, the Onslow County hardwood specialists walked away with top honors in winning the 1951-52 Annual Post Basketball tourney.

Boys from all parts of the United States participated in the tourney but the knowledge and experience which the champions displayed was first gained in four different Onslow schools.

Among the "Onslow Stars" on Service Battery's championship quint were Wilton Bush, former Jacksonville high school and later a ringer for the Oak Ridge Military Cadets, Robert Sanders, former Jacksonville high school star and veteran of the semi-pro Jacksonville Rockets, Phillip Bowen, former Richlands high star and first stringer at East Carolina College, Everett "Shorty" Waters, former Jacksonville High School star that overwhelmingly subdued other Onslow County schools for the county championship in 1949, Billy Sandlin, former Dixon high star, Harry Bowen, former Jacksonville high star and veteran of the Jacksonville Rockets and Shelton Kellum, former Swansboro high standout and veteran of the Swansboro semi-pro Pirates.

The "Dead Eye Group" as they are known around Fort Campbell, was coached by Bush and his efforts were well rewarded. Managing the team was Robert Smith and Norman Dixon.

"This achievement is something to be respected," a former member of the outfit said, "and the cooperation rendered by Capt James F Davis, commanding officer of the local guard unit, in securing the best for the boys can be an example of the proper handling of all boys from Onslow County. Service Battery is indeed fortunate to have a man such as Captain Davis to be ever watchful for the welfare of the boys."

The trophy was presented by Sgt Bush to the Burton-Cowell American Legion Post where it will be placed among other trophies won by Legion members. Members of the battery are currently preparing with the 690th Field Artillery Battalion for a tour of duty in Germany. Many of them have recently been home on leave.

Player-Coach Sgt. Wilton Bush recently presented W. D. Starling of the local American Legion Post the beautiful trophy the Onslow County National Guard members won as the championship basketball team at Fort Campbell, Ky. Members of the unit, Service Battery of the 690th FA Battalion, are now preparing to sail to Europe for a tour of duty. (Photo by Marion McCaskill).