The Lincoln Times

Lincolnton's Company "A" To Take Part In National Guard Recruiting Day

By BUCK PAYSOUR
For The Lincoln Times

Lt. Bryan Craig today announced that Lincolnton's Company "A" will take part in next Saturday's "N. C. National Guard Recruiting Day."

OPEN HOUSE PLANNED

The day will be highlighted by an open house at the local Guard building and also a display of machine guns and other equipment on the Courthouse Square.

On the same day, other National Guard units throughout the state will be participating in the drive. In Raleigh, Governor Hodges has issued a proclamation urging support of the drive. Lincolnton's Mayor A. L. Tait also issued a Mayor's proclamation.

Lt. Craig, the company commander, announced that Company "A" has set 25 new members as its quota. He said that there are many advantages in joining the Guard, both to veterans and non-veterans.

Young men can get in the National Guard before they are 18 and a half years old and be draft exempt, Lt. Craig said. The officer added that in addition to serving his military obligation at home, there are also opportunities for advancement in pay and grade in the local company.

Veterans and non-veterans may retire at age 60 after 20 years service. Time spent on active duty will count toward retirement with liberal pay, Lt. Craig said. He pointed out that Company "A" now has several men who will be completing their twentieth year of service soon.

MEETS ONCE A WEEK

The local unit meets once a week in the National Guard building on the Lincolnton-Maiden highway. For each two hour's drill, the men are paid a full day Army pay. They are also paid full Army pay for their two-weeks encampment, which will be at Fort Bragg this year.

Lt. Craig said the a sergeant's pay in a year is enough to buy a 1950 model Ford, Chevrolet, or Plymouth, while a corporal's pay will make the payments on a home.

In addition to the pay and draft benefits, Lt. Craig said, a National Guardsman in the local unit has the opportunity of going to special schools to learn such skills as cooking and baking, heavy equipment operating, and type-writing. A man who goes to one of these schools draws full Army pay.

COMPANY EQUIPMENT

The local company, which is a part of the 105th Engineer Combat Battalion, of the 30th Division, has some of the latest engineer equipment available.

Included in this equipment are four dump trucks, two two-and-a-half ton trucks, two jeeps with quarter-ton trailers, an air compressor truck and a bull-dozer.

Weapons include fifty-five M-1 rifles, eight carbines, and a 50-calibre machinegun. Company "A," Lt. Craig said, will visit Fort Bragg to fire these weapons next April.

Those joining the company now will be able to make the trip, he said.

Each man will be clothed and equipped as soon as he comes into the unit, the officer stated.

The local Guard unit was once a part of the 378th Combat Engineer Battalion, which was de-activated at the time the 30th Infantry Division was made into an all-North Carolina division.

Previously, the 30th Division was comprised of Tennessee and North Carolina Guardsmen.

TWO-HOUR DRILL

Next Saturday, the local company will hold a two-hour drill starting at 8 a.m. Open house will also be held throughout the day.

"We would like for young men and their parents to visit us to talk over the opportunities offered by the Guard," Lt. Craig said.

"Also, veterans who are interested are asked to come by to see us."

Company "A" has a long history of both home-front and foreign service. The unit is now composed of 55 enlisted men and three officers.