For the New Rainbow Solider 42nd Inf. Div.

   

A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM YOUR COMMANDING GENERAL

SOLIDERS OF THE RAINBOW:

For you will soon be known wherever you go as soldiers of the Rainbow! You have been honored by fortune in your assignment to the 42d Infantry Division.

Not only will your state be proud of you as one of its representatives in this all American Division, but the nation will honor you as a member of its most colorful and best known Division—one of the nation's finest.

These honors are yours because of the heroic deeds, the fighting ability and the soldierly qualities of the men who served in this Division in the First World War. It is up to you now to preserve these glories and to add to them by your conduct and accomplishments.

I have promised that no man of this Division will be killed on the field of battle through failure on my part to see that he was properly trained. And I promise that he will be so well trained that he will be superior to the enemy when we meet him. I shall keep those promises. And I know you will help me by realizing that I must depend upon you as you depend upon me.

My message to you will be short, but I speak to you as a soldier who has served over a quarter-century in the Regular Army of his country, as a father to his sons, as your General to his soldiers. Remember what I tell you and you'll come home from the war with a just pride in yourself and your Division—disregard what I tell you and you will live out your life in regret and that you failed when your country asked you, for its sake, to be a soldier and a man.

—1—  

 

FOREWARD

This booklet has been prepared as a message of welcome to each and every member of the 42d (Rainbow) Infantry Division. Carry this booklet with you, and read it until you catch the spirit and tradition of the Rainbow and the true significance of the insignia you wear on your left shoulder.

This booklet includes a brief sketch of the World War record of the Rainbow Division, and information concerning your new surroundings and what is expected of you as a SOLDIER OF THE RAINBOW.

A space is provided in this booklet where you may paste your picture and after you have become familiar with the contents of this booklet, it is suggested that you send it home to your family in order that they may know the history of your Division and have some information of Camp Gruber and things that are expected of you as a SOLDIER OF THE RAINBOW.

The Rainbow insignia that you have inherited is not just a symbol, but a hope for your future and the future of our country. Remember this — the Rainbow insignia is inanimate and meaningless until you have proven through your own deeds and actions that you are entitled to wear it. Then, it will carry with it only such respect and honor as you, as an individual, bestow upon it. Guard, therefore, your conduct and exert all the powers within you in order that every man, woman and child may truthfully say that you have lived up to your country's expectations.

The eyes of the world are upon you!

YOU ARE A SOLDIER OF THE RAINBOW!

—5—  

 

A LETTER FROM A VETERAN OF THE RAINBOW DIVISON OF WORLD WAR I

The following letter is reprinted from the Rainbow Division Veterans' magazine, the "Rainbow Reveille" for June, 1943. This letter was written by Captain Harold B. Rodier of the Rainbow Division of World War I to the members of the Rainbow Division of which you have now become a member.

"Dear Buddy:

My sincere congratulations to you upon your privilege of serving in the New Rainbow Division. I served with the Old Rainbow, and I've never gotten over being proud and glad that I had the chance. You are starting out where we left off some twenty-five years ago. You have everything we had when we started out on a military career that brought its full measure of glory to us; and more. When we first crossed the Atlantic we carried with us the beautiful Rainbow Flag which you now display. It was a thing of beauty and full of symbolic meaning; but in a sense it was just a gorgeous piece of silk. It was not until this Flag had been carried into action and had flown over battle-fields hallowed by the blood of our dead and made glorious by our victories that it became fraught with the significance and the traditions that have made it mean so very much to so many people. You start out with a flag which has known much of victory and nothing of defeat. It has advanced deeply into enemy territory, and has never receded one step from a foe. On its staff is engraved band after band recording battles won. The Flag will inspire you to new victories, and you will in turn add to its splendid traditions.

I speak from the heart, and I speak for all veterans of the —7—   Old Rainbow when I say that I deeply envy you. Not because you are embarking upon a glorious adventure that we would like to share. You know, even better than did we on that day in October of 1917 when we sailed for France and the battle lines, that war is NOT a splendid adventure. And certainly we know better than most men, war is a grim, hard business. We envy you because you have the opportunity of meeting and destroying those enemies who would destroy our cities, our homes and our people, as they have already brutally destroyed the homes and the lives of people who loved life and loved peace fully as much as do we. And we envy you because we know from personal experience that this is an opportunity which will fill your hearts with satisfaction as long as you live. We know, too, that if war itself is not a splendid adventure that it can write splendid and glorious pages into your lives. There will be long days and nights, extending into months and it may be years, of toil and hardships and grinding weariness. There will be protracted separation from your loved ones, absence from home and the scenes you hold dear; and interruption from your chosen pursuits. But physically, mentally and spiritually you will be developed and broadened; you will form friendships and associations that will enrich your lives. Out of the dangers and suffering will come experiences that you will treasure as long as you live. As heroism and self-sacrifice will become commonplace incidents in your life, your stature will increase; and you will find that when your period of service to your nation is over, you will return a stronger, finer and more worthwhile man and citizen. Painful as your hardships may be, you will recollect them in later years as a wonderful experience.

As your predecessors in the Rainbow Division we offer our testimony to this fact. And we testify with pride and happiness to the fine and enduring friendships which were —8—   born on the battlefields of France, which have lasted until this day, and will last as long as we live. These things count.

You have ahead of you a period of intensive training which will try your endurance. The process of changing you from a civilian to a combat soldier is not particularly easy; the process of hardening you to the point where you can endure the rugged and arduous tasks of a fighting man will be painful at times. You will find that only by throwing your utmost in energy and enthusiasm can you master adequately the job of being a front-line soldier. But none of these things is beyond your capacity, and all of them are worth your while. It is distinctly to your interest to absorb and cultivate every aspect of your training and make the most of it. As you well know, you are destined in the not too distant future to cross the seas. It is quite positively true that those of you who are best trained have the best chance of being on "the boat" when it comes back. The best soldiers, the best-trained and the toughest physically have the best chance of surviving battle. German soldiers sent into Russia in the later campaigns were furnished a little entitled, "How to Stay Alive in Russia." Here at Camp Gruber you will be given daily lessons in the art of staying alive in whatever theatre of War you serve. Make good use of them; we who served in the Old Rainbow have the keenest anxiety to see what good use of your training opportunities, because none know better than we how vital is good training to the combat soldier.

You are young and you are full of ideas; it is not an easy thing to feel constrained to urge you to "hate your enemies." But you must remember this; the enemy hates you, and unless you are filled with a stern determination to exterminate him as you would any poisonous vermin which threatens your lives, you yourself will fall victim to your own soft- —9—   heartedness. Mercy to a merciless foe is a weakness, and in battle the weak die and the strong survive. You owe it to those who love you to let no misguided weakness cost you your life.

Undoubtedly you have felt that it was an honor and a distinction to be selected to serve in the Rainbow Division. Possibly you have also felt that this was going to be difficult to live up to. Being first rate fighting men isn't easy by any means. Measuring up to the standards set by your predecessors probably isn't going to be too easy. But let an old soldier reassure you on one point. The men of the Old Rainbow weren't all seven feet tall, and none of them used 75 millimeter guns as sidearms. We were just pretty good soldiers who never stopped trying hard to do our jobs and do them as well as we were able. That is all you have to do to live up to our traditions. Just work like the devil to become a good soldier, and then never stop trying your damnedest to make good at your job. Do this and you will live up to every expectation our officers, your predecessors of the Rainbow, and of the American people. You enter upon your military career as soldier of the Rainbow with our heartfelt blessings, and with our deep and abiding confidence that you will add to the glories of the old Division.

HAROLD B. RODIER, Captain, CWS.

—10—

 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RAINBOW DIVISION

During the period of the 20th of August to the 13th of September, 1917, men from 26 states and the District of Columbia were assembled at Camp Mills on Long Island. These men were selected from various units of the National Guard and were brought together as a result of a plan of the War Department to form a truly representative American Division and to "bring the war home" to people all over the country. It was Douglas MacArthur, then Colonel, and newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Division, who inspired the name of "Rainbow" when he said it would span the nation like a rainbow. The Rainbow Division it became. More than that, its quickly kindled spirit of comradeship and valor became a flame of encouragement to the waning allied cause in early 1918. The Rainbow was one of the first American divisions to be sent to France, and its record of battle stood second to none by the time the pomp of Prussia had been smashed to bits in November of 1918.

The first units of the Rainbow Division sailed from Hoboken, N.J., on the 18th of October, 1917, arriving in France November first. In late February, 1918, the Division entered the trenches in a quiet sector — to finish its training under battle conditions. The sector did not remain quiet for very long. But it was in the great Champagne-Marne defensive that the Rainbow met its first real test. It was there, in a bitter and merciless struggle that began just before midnight on the night of 14-15 July 1918, that the last great German offensive was beaten back, the attacking power of the Hun crippled beyond repair for the duration of hostilities. And in that epic battle, the Rainbow played perhaps the most important role of its existence. For green America soldiers had proven beyond a shadow of doubt that they could more than hold their own against the veterans of the Kaiser's vaunted army. The tide had turned!

—11—  

From that time forward, the battle of the trenches became a thing of the past; it was open warfare, driving, offensive, American-style warfare from then until the climax in November. And throughout those relentless months of smashing attack the Rainbow was always in the van; across the Ourcq, into the St. Mihiel Salient, and then the unbelievable cracking of the massive Kriemhilde Stallung in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, and on to the gates of Sedan. That is the battle record, and that and the lists of casualties tell the story. The authorized strength of the division was approximately 28,000 and 20,000 replacements were required to maintain that strength. Of the total of 48,000 men and officers who served in the Rainbow, 2,810 were killed or died of wounds, and 11,873 were wounded in action; a total of 14,683 casualties, over half of the authorized strength of the division, and roughly 1/16 of all the casualties received by the American Army overseas. The division was 176 days in the face of the enemy, a record exceeded by only two other U.S. Divisions. It served 4 1/2 months after the Armistice as part of the Army of Occupation.

But that record, glorious as it is, does not explain the entire story of the Rainbow. It does not explain the legend of significance and good luck that came into being when "the promise in the sky" was seen overhead before every major engagement; it does not explain the living spark of patriotism and good fellowship that has kept Rainbow veterans together year after year — as solidly and as loyally as in those days of a quarter-century ago when they fought shoulder to shoulder on the bloody soil of France. Those things cannot be explained, but the men of the new Rainbow can hope to understand them, to come to be imbued with them, to treasure them as sacred above all else, and to fight with that flaming spirit that was, and again will be the —12—   admiration of soldiers all over the world — because those men of the Rainbow fought, as you men of the new Rainbow fight — for freedom.

HISTORY OF CAMP GRUBER

Camp Gruber was named in honor of Brigadier General Edmund L. Gruber. General Gruber was born November 11, 1879, and upon graduation from West Point in 1904, he was assigned to Artillery. General Gruber served the military forces of the United States long and faithfully, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for "Exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous service." General Gruber will probably be best remembered by the soldiers of today for the famous Artillery marching song, "The Caissons Go Rolling Along," which he wrote while on duty in the Philippines.

General Gruber died May 30, 1941.

Camp Gruber is located in the Cookson Hills in the Eastern part of Oklahoma. Only a short time ago this rough, wooded area was used as a hideout by notorious outlaws and bandits and for many years seemed to offer a place of comparative safety from the law.

No doubt you have heard Oklahoma referred to as the land of the Red Man, and as you become better acquainted with the area, you will notice that a great many of the terrain features and towns bear Indian names. Camp Gruber is in the southern part of what was in the days of the Indian Territory the heart of the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee Indians came to Oklahoma from Alabama and Mississippi over the historic "Trail of Tears", and established their capital in Tahlequah, a small town a few miles northeast of the Camp.

—13—  

 

FACTS YOU CAN USE

On this and the next few pages of this booklet are listed some of the services and facilities which are available to you as a soldier. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all the activities listed. They are designed for your comfort and convenience.

MAIL

The army is well aware of the importance of your mail service and a great deal of effort is made to insure your receiving your mail promptly.

Mail deliveries are made twice a day, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon. Your mail will be delivered to you personally by your company, battery or troop mail orderly. Packages will be held for you in the orderly room and you will be notified of their arrival.

Only the soldier has the privilege of sending personal mail free of charge. In the space where you normally place a stamp, just write the word "free". Remember, don't print the word "free" or your return address — write them.

Pvt John Doe, ASN 00000000
Btry A, 111 F.A. Bn.,
APO 411,
Camp Gruber, Oklahoma.

Free

In your own handwriting

Mrs. John Doe,
222 E. 1st Street,
Pittsburgh, Pa.

—15—  

Parcels and packages must carry full postage. The same applies for "special delivery letters".

Be sure to advise your friends and family as to your proper address. This will include your name, grade, serial number, organization, APO number and station.

ATHLETICS

Participation in athletics is one form of recreation that you should place high on your list of priorities. You will enjoy playing the various games and this is one of the best possible ways to become acquainted with the other men of the division. You will find that your company, battery or troop have all sorts of athletic equipment available for your use and that participation in sports will do much to harden you physically and assist you in training as a soldier.

CHAPELS

There is a chapel located in the vicinity of your barracks. Religion has always been an important part of everyone's life and no one needs to neglect the observance of his religion when he becomes a soldier. The facilities are available and services are held for all creeds and denominations. Check your bulletin board for schedules or ask your First Sergeant.

There is a Chaplain assigned to your unit and he is always available to assist you in any way he can. He is your spiritual leader: Do not hesitate to consult him.

Remember, it has been said that, "there were no atheists in the fox holes of Bataan."

—16—  

PAY

The American solder is the highest paid of any soldier in the world. Learn to handle your finances intelligently, operate under a cash basis, budget your expenses and be sure you have the necessary funds for haircuts, shoe polish, toothpaste, etc.

Cultivate the habit of thrift. Save a percentage of your pay. The purchase of War Bonds is another way a soldier may serve his country, and also provide for his own future. See your company, battery or troop commander about payroll allotments for the purchase of War Bonds.

If your family is dependent upon you for support, be sure to take advantage of the privilege of allotments. Your organization commander will explain the details of the allotment plan. You owe it to yourself and to those dependent upon you to make all possible arrangements for their well being.

—17—  

INSURANCE

Insurance is a very valuable commodity for anyone, but it is particularly valuable to a soldier. National Service Life Insurance has been especially designed to meet the requirements of the American soldier, and policies are available in amounts up to and including $10,000. Rates are reasonable and premiums may be deducted from your pay. If you have not already done so, you should subscribe for the maximum amount. If you have any questions concerning insurance, see your First Sergeant or Commanding Officer.

Buy insurance and protect your loved ones.

BANKING FACILITIES

There are two banks located on the Post, and the facilities of both are available to all soldiers. The Commercial National Bank is located on "D" Street between 8th and 9th Streets at Post Exchange No. 11, and the First National Bank and Trust Company is located on Third Street just east of the Field House in the same building as the Camp Finance Office.

Postal Money Orders may be purchased and cashed at the Division Post Office from 0800 to 1900 on week days and from 0830 to 1130 on Sundays. The Camp Post Office is open from 0800 to 1930 on Mondays and from 0800 to —18—   1800 on all other week days. Mailing facilities are available only during the hours mentioned above.

PASS PRIVILEGES

When you first arrive at the camp, you will be placed in what is known as a working quarantine, and passes will not be issued during that period. Following your release from quarantine, you will be eligible for evening and week-end or holiday passes. Your eligibility for passes will depend upon your conduct as a soldier and your attention to duty. Passes are a privilege extended only to well-behaved, efficient soldiers. Your company, battery or troop commander will give you full information concerning pass privileges and what you must accomplish to be eligible for a pass. When you receive a pass and visit the nearby towns and cities, remember to conduct yourself as a soldier at all times. Military Police are on duty in practically all cities and towns and they are there for just one purpose, to protect the soldier and keep him out of trouble. Respect their orders and consult them should you be in difficulty. In some instances it is necessary for the military authorities to place establishments or areas off limits to military personnel. Full information concerning establishments and areas that have been placed off limits will be found on your company, battery or troop bulletin board.

THE GUEST HOUSE

There are two guest houses on the post that are operated in conjunction with the Service Clubs. These Guest Houses are maintained for the convenience of the soldiers' guests and rooms are available for a small fee. Should your family or friends plan to visit you be sure to reserve rooms for —19—   them well in advance. Reservations may be made at the Guest House or at the Service Club.

POST EXCHANGES

The Post Exchange is the soldier's store. It is operated for your benefit and profit. Profits made by the Post Exchange come back to your organization in the form of dividends for your Company, Battery or Troop Fund. These Company, Battery and Troop funds are spent solely for the benefit of the enlisted men of the organization. You just can't lose when you patronize the Post Exchange.

The Army Post Exchange is well stocked and prices are lower than ordinary commercial outlets. The Post Exchange stocks about everything a soldier could possibly want or need — from razor blades to cookies, the Post Exchange is the place.

The regulations governing the operation of the Post Exchange are posted in each exchange building. Read these regulations and become familiar with them.

THE SERVICE CLUB

The Service Club is the soldier's recreation center and much like your favorite club at home. Use it the same way and conduct yourself in the same manner as you would if you were home. You will find that you will spend some of the most pleasant hours of your Army career at the Service Club.

—20—

 

There are two Service Clubs on the post, and each has a cafeteria, soda fountain, game tables, magazine, an extensive library, and many other facilities for the entertainment of yourself and your friends. From time to time, dances are held at the Service Club, and through the cooperation of USO and other civic organizations, dancing partners will be provided. These young ladies will be your guests and must be so treated and respected. Tickets to these dances will be distributed by your First Sergeant.

CAMP THEATRES

There are four theatres on this post and they are provided for your special entertainment. You will find that usually the pictures are shown at the camp theatres long before they are available through ordinary civilian outlets. These theatres are in operation each evening and also on Sunday afternoon. Just imagine, the latest pictures for a 15c admission, or better than that, you may purchase a booklet of ten theatre tickets for $1.20. These booklets are on sale at each of the camp theatres.

Occasionally, your favorite movie theatre will schedule a stage show. No doubt you've heard about these grand shows that include some of the country's outstanding entertainers. Watch your organization bulletin board for schedules.

COMMUNICATION FACILITIES

Public telephone service is available at each of the Post Exchanges and at the Service Clubs.

—21—  

Both of the major telegraph companies maintain an office at 6th and "E" Place for the use of military personnel. Telegrams must be prepaid. Public telephone facilities may also be used to dispatch telegrams through the telegraph company in Muskogee.

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES

Bus service is available within the camp and bus service is also maintained between the camp and Muskogee and between the camp and Tulsa. Full details as to schedules, prices, etc., will be provided by your First Sergeant.

MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICE

In case of sickness, report to your organization orderly room at once and have your name entered on the sick report. Your First Sergeant or the Charge of Quarters will make all necessary arrangements for proper care and treatment. The finest medical personnel in the world are ready to serve you at any time of day or night and you can rest assured that the Army's medical service has but one thought in mind — your well being.

Should you have a tooth ache or some other trouble with your teeth, two completely staffed dental clinics are ready and waiting to serve you. As in the case of illness, report to your orderly room and have your name entered on the sick report.

—22—  

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

There are representatives of the American Red Cross on duty with each of the major units of the Division.

The American Red Cross has many services available to the soldier including money for emergency loans and other help and assistance in times of personal stress. Should you be unfortunate enough to have a death or serious illness in your immediate family and need money for train tickets, etc., the Red Cross will come to your aid.

Do not go to the Red Cross representative by yourself. First see your company, battery, or troop commander and he will arrange an appointment for you. If conditions warrant, your needs will be cared for.

Should your family need financial assistance, they should consult the Red Cross office in the town or city where they live.

LAUNDRY AND DRY CLEANING

The facilities of this post include a large modern laundry and this installation was established and is operated solely for the convenience of military personnel. Your Supply Sergeant will give you specific instructions concerning the proper method of preparing your laundry bundles and inform you as to the day the laundry will be collected and returned. This laundry service is on a flat rate basis of $1.50 per month which is collected by a deduction from your pay.

Representatives of commercial dry cleaning establishments have office space in each of the Post Exchanges for your convenience.

The facilities of Post Exchange No. 12 at 7th and "D" Streets and Post Exchange No. 5 at 14th and "C" Streets include Tailor Shops.

—23—

 

THERE'S A RAINBOW IN THE ARMY

This excellent marching song written by Sgt. Norman Monath of the 132d Signal Company, is dedicated to our Division Commander, Major General Harry J. Collins, and has been designated as the official Division song. Every Rainbow soldier should know this song.

CHORUS marcato

Semper Staccato

THERE'S A RAINBOW IN THE ARMY, LIKE A RAINBOW IN THE SKY SHINING BRIGHTLY IN ALL THE GLORY —24—   OF A PAST THAT WILL NOT DIE. LET OUR VOICES SHOW IN OUR HEARTS WE KNOW THAT THE NEW RAIN-BOW WILL —25—   CARRY ON HEY WE'RE THE MIGHTY FORTY-SECOND AND OUR FATHERS FOUGHT LIKE MEN, IN THE BATTLE —26—   NOW BE-FORE US WE WILL FIGHT AS THEY FOUGHT THEN. WITH OUR CHINS UP HIGH WE WILL WIN OR DIE FOR THE —27—   RAINBOW IN THE ARMY FOR THE RAINBOW IN THE SKY. THERE'S A

—28—

42D INFANTRY DIVISION RAINBOW

IN CASE I'M ASKED:

My name is__________, sir!

I'm in the ______Platoon______Company (Battery) (Troop)__________Battalion_______ Regiment

My Squad Leader is __________

My Platoon Leader is _________

My Company (Battery) (Troop) Commander is ________________

My Battalion Commander is _________

My Regimental Commander is __________

My Division Artillery Commander is _________

My Assistant Division Commander is _________

MY COMMANDING GENERAL IS _________

You Can Bet I'll Know These Names

If you want to see a REAL RAINBOW SOLDIER just turn the page

—29—  

Paste your picture here and send it home to your folks.

This is a picture of That Real Rainbow Soldier

—30—

 

OFFICIAL PRAYER OF THE RAIBOW DIVISION

Almighty God we ask Thy approval of the duties placed upon us. Let Thy wisdom, be our wisdom; Thy strength, our strength; Thy will, our cause. Make our minds alert, our bodies strong, our thinking straight; that through no lack of ours a shadow be cast on our Division's bright past, nor its future light be dimmed.

We commend the Rainbow Division, its Commander and its men, to Thee, as an instrument of Thy righteous justice.

As the rainbow supports Thy heavens in wondrous beauty, so grant that our Division shall support our nation in the blue of its valor, the gold of its love, and the red of its sacrifice.

Amen.

CHAPLAIN JOHN E. KINNY, DIVISION CHAPLAIN.

APPROVED BY MAJOR GENERAL HARRY J. COLLINS, DIVISION COMMANDER.

—31—

 

THIRD PRINTING (REVISED) 1944

PRESS OF THE STAR PRINTERY, MUSKOGEE 2029