Cedar Rapids Gazette, Sunday, September 20, 1942 Front Page Collins Company Gets Army-Navy ‘E’ Flag by Naomi Doebel
CEDAR RAPIDS industry received its first official award for outstanding war effort at 2:45 p.m. Saturday when the Army-Navy “E” pennant was raised to fly below the Stars and Stripes whipping in a cold wind on the flagstaff in front of the Collins Radio company's new plant at 855 Thirty-fifth street NE. Four thousand persons stood at attention, then broke into cheers as the huge pennant, with “Army” lettered in white on a red ground, and “Navy” in white on a blue ground, went up. Framed by a gold wreath in the design was a large letter “E”.
Lieut Comdr. J.M. Bloom, executive officer of the pre-flight school at Iowa City, Brig. Gen. Charles H. Grahl, Mayor Frank Hahn, Arthur A Collins, youthful president of the company, representatives of the plant employees, and others taking part in the program were on the bunting draped platform. Below stood the color guard of Hanford Post No. 5, American Legion. Near them were city officials and chief executives of many of the city's leading industries. Across the road, recognized by only a few, was Lieut. Bill Reed, Marion's hero of the famous China's Flying Tigers, who was to be introduced to some of the military men following the ceremony. (Note 2)
Standing close-packed in a reserved section facing the platform were members of families and the 1,200 employees of the Collins Radio plant. All of these, who were employed last July when the Army-Navy production award for high achievement in the production of war equipment was made, will be entitled to wear the prized “E” pins presented Saturday with the pennant.
Significance of this award was emphasized by Lieut. Comdr. Bloom, principal speaker substituting for Capt. E. A. Lofquist. chief of staff for the ninth naval district, who at the last moment found it impossible to keep his appointment in Cedar Rapids. “We have met here today to honor the employees and administration of the Collins Radio company because you have recognized your obligation to our men on the fighting fronts and because you have done an outstanding job furnishing the equipment which we need so desperately today.” said Bloom.
“When the rising tide of war in Europe placed a premium on the production of war equipment, the navy “E” award was extended to embrace the plants and organizations which showed excellence in producing ships, weapons, and equipment for the navy. Then came Pearl Harbor ... and with it a demand for war production such as the world had never known. To meet the situation the Army-Navy production award was established as our fighting forces' joint recognition of exceptional performance on the production front ... of the determined, persevering, unbeatable American spirit which can be satisfied only by achieving today what yesterday seemed impossible.
Jaws of many of the men tightened as reference was made by Lieut. Comdr. Bloom to the need for behind-the-lines support for the thousands of young Americans on the fighting front.
Brig. Gen. Grahl expressed, on behalf of the armed forces, sincere appreciation of the splendid example established by the workers in the Collins Radio company. “No one has a keener appreciation of the men and women engaged in trial war effort than have men in the armed service themselves,” he said. “The men of the army, the navy, the marine corps and the coast guard have offered their all and if need be, life itself. They are keeping the enemy away from our shores. They have every right to expect that we at home will keep faith with them. There must be a steady flow of arms, equipment and food to them.”
Presentation award ceremonies started promptly at 2:30 p.m. The invocation was given by the Rev. Grant Anderson, pastor of the First Baptist church. Eugene M. Pinney, president of the Chamber of Commerce, presided as chairman and read the telegram received by Mr. Collins from James V. Forrestal, undersecretary of the navy. He said: “Your outstanding production record is deserving of the gratitude of every man in our fighting forces. You men and women of the Collins Radio company have shown yourselves true soldiers in our great production army. My congratulations on the winning of the Army-Navy production award. May it long fly over your plant.”
Music for the ceremony was furnished by a band composed of Cedar Rapids musicians led by W. F. Vesely.
“Believe me, I deserved that award,” a girl worker was overheard saying earnestly as the crowd broke up. William Wilson and Miss Alice Rinderknecht represented the plant employees in accepting the award pins from Brig. Gen. Charles H. Grahl, state director of selective service, and accepted with Arthur A. Collins future production responsibility for the plant and its workers - admonishing the recipients of the “E” pins to wear them with justifiable pride for the contribution they are making to the production of war equipment. The navy “E” award was extended to embrace the plants and organizations which showed excellence in producing ships, weapons, and equipment for the navy.
“During the past several years.” said Collins, “the army and navy have charged our company with the responsibility of designing and building certain important types of radio equipment and have given us their utmost cooperation in its development. This equipment has been in constant use by our armed forces. When our foes struck, neatly soldered wires and brightly machined pieces fashioned by your hands began playing vital roles in resisting the onslaught of the enemy.”
“We now have the solid satisfaction of knowing that our radio sets are another example of American equipment which was soundly conceived and stoutly built. Reports from the services of their performance in the field have been generous and encouraging. We know that we have found the way to our share of victory in modern warfare.”
“Today, with deep gratitude, we are receiving an award which is an honor and also a challenge to accept greater responsibility.”
“Our job is to provide our full share of the lightning-fast radio couriers which will carry vital dispatches, commands, and reports to and from the growing thousands of ships and airplanes fighting a tremendous war extending over the entire world. To do this job each one of us must increase his skill, improve his workmanship, speed his hands, and sharpen his wits. We must not only do the work at hand but also prepare ourselves for many new problems to come. I am confident that you men and women are willing and eager to undertake this job on these terms and to accept the Army-Navy “E” award as a challenge to your spirit, resourcefulness, and steady purpose.”
The seriousness with which the award was received was apparent in the faces of the men and women assembled. With exception of a scattered few girls who giggled nervously, it was a sober crowd.
Newspaper Photo Captions:
Arthur Collins receiving E-Flag at Speaker's podium: Arthur A. Collins, president of the Collins Radio company, left, holds the folded Army-Navy production award pennant just presented to him by Lieut. Comdr. J. M. Bloom, executive officer at the navy pre-flight training school at Iowa City, at the presentation ceremonies held Saturday on the grounds in front of the Collins plant. This award, which includes “E” pins for the workers, was made in recognition of high achievement in production of war equipment.
E-Flag about to be raised: Presented on the grounds of the Collins Radio company “E Flag” Emblem of high achievement in the production of war equipment, the Army-Navy “E” award is shown just as it was raised Saturday at 2:45 p.m. on the company. It was raised by Andrew Coleman, left, and Roy W. Decker, right, members of the color guard of Hanford post No. 5 American Legion.
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