War Relief and Charities Gain From Racing
January 7, 1944

Back in 1943 the war relief and charities received $5,395,239 from the tracks in the USA, headed by Bay Meadows [Calif.] contribution of $1,177,994. [Next on the list were:] Suffolk Downs, $635,884; Victory Meeting (New York), $628,818; and Detroit Fair Grounds, $464,649.

Animal Power Serves The Nation
January 29, 1944

Since this war began farmers have learned to appreciate horses and mules more fully than ever before. Much credit for the largest crops ever raised in the United States must go to horses and mules–over 12 million of them–that were in harness in 1942/43 producing farm crops.

Coast Guardsmen Stage Horse Show
by Edward Henkel III, S 2/c
March 3, 1944

The Coast Guard Mounted Patrol Station at Delray Beach, Florida staged a most successful benefit horse show as the grand finale of its operations.

The horse show committee decided it was only proper to ask the M.C. service of horse connoisseur Humphrey Finney. Mr. Finney, at present, is working in collaboration with the Procurement Division of the Treasury in selling the surplus horses [after the war.]

Lt.-Col. Stone
March 10, 1944

Advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Whitney Stone is now in charge of the Boston Area in the Ordinance Department. Lt.-Col. Stone’s Morven Stud will consign 7 colts and 5 fillies to the Eastern Breeders’ Yearling Sale to be held in August.

[Stone would become one of the founders of the U.S. Equestrian Team in 1952.]

General Swift Receives Merit Award
by Margaret de Martelly
March 17, 1944

Aside from the troops of the 1st Cavalry Division who were trained by Major General Palmer Swift, there’s many a trooper rejoicing. Gen-eral Swift has been awarded the Legion of Merit medal for services rendered in preparing the units of the 1st Cavalry Division for their attack of Los Negros of the Admiralty group.

The citation mentions General Swift’s integration of his division into the “harmonious teamwork of the combined arms. . .”

He served as an instructor of horsemanship at the Cavalry School at Ft. Riley. From 1923-’29 he was commanding officer of Colored Detachment No. 2 at Fort Leavenworth.

Something To Think About
Commentary by Nancy G. Lee
June 16, 1944

As the Crusade of Liberation throbs into its second week [following D-Day], the following paragraphs [from Reuters] cause us to pause and wonder:

“AMERICAN BEACHHEAD NEAR GRANDECAMP, France, (Delayed)–Hundreds of American assault troops lost their life in gaining a mile and a half of beach sector near Vierville during the Cherbourg peninsula landings. ‘The American people ought to see this,’ a captain said grimly, indicating rows of bodies stretching for hundreds of yards. ‘They should see what it cost to take this one little beach alone. It might make them forget the hardship of gasoline rationing.’ “

There is comfort in the thought that a fighting man Over There will be a fighting man Over Here and as a consequence, we may see an end to this madness.

Farming In War Time
by Wayne Dinsmore
August 4, 1944

You undoubtedly are studying ways of reducing feed costs for the next 12 months. Hay and grain probably will continue as high as in the past year, and it may be hard to get the first grade quality horsemen want.

Three things can be done. First, plant as soon as possible some small grain for fall pasture. Land where crops have already been harvested should be manured, plowed, disced and 2 bushels per acre of wheat, oats or barley sowed or drilled.

Second, prepare another field in the same way–as many acres as you needed–and seed 2 bushels per acre of winter rye about the middle of August.

Third, if you are where brome grass and alfalfa will grow, prepare your land as in No. 1, plus lime if needed, and seed brome grass and alfalfa about the middle of August, without any nurse crop.

Horsemen And The Army
by Louis A. Nelson
August 25, 1944

The writer has been the recipient of much soldier mail emanating from men overseas. Recent mail literally bristles with pertinent questions concerning the present military policy in the employment of mounted units in an active theatre of operations.

Why aren’t horse cavalry and pack units used in battle zones where they are so obviously needed? Why have request of field commanders for experienced horsemen to man the few mounted organizations overseas been so consistently disregarded by higher authorities? Why are so many skilled horsemen being transferred out of remaining horse units?

It’s quite difficult to explain to a fighting man in Italy or Burma why a mounted unit isn’t available. One well-known general went on record as saying, “In rugged and difficult terrain, a mounted unit is worth its weight in gold.”

Twilight For Germany
Commentary by Nancy G. Lee
September 15, 1944

The nation that could not be invaded was invaded September 11, 1944. It was the first time that an enemy had crossed the borders of Germany since the days of Napoleon. The powerful 1st Army of the United States crashed its way into the Reich for five miles. In the East, the Third White Russian Army sent patrols across the border into East Prussia, and on other fronts the armies were hammering at the gates of the Nazi stronghold.

It was indeed a black day for Hitler–the mighty Hitler. After five years of triumph, it must have been a very bitter pill for the swaggering little man of destiny to swallow. Neither Hitler nor his people ever thought they would see the day that retributive justice would be visited upon them. No country has ever before faced such a hopeless military prospect–and no country has ever deserved it more.

Army Plans For Return Of War Dogs
December 22, 1944

Plans have been developed by the Army, the Treasury Department and Dogs for Defense, Inc., to assure every Army War Dog of the K-9 Corps a proper home when it is returned to civilian life.

In the event the original owners decline to accept return of dogs or no answer is received within three weeks, the dogs will be disposed of by the following procedure:

1. They will be declared as surplus by the Quartermaster Corps, which will notify the Office of Surplus Property of their availability for sale to the public.
2. The Treasury will announce the availability at a minimum cost for the dog, handling and transportation, which will vary from about $15 to $25.
3. Requests from prospective purchasers should be sent to Dogs for Defense, the non-profit civilian agency, which will investigate each request to insure that prospective purchaser is in position to provide the dog a proper home.

Dogs no longer needed by the Army are being “de-militarized” and held at the Quartermaster War Dog Reception and Training Center, Fort Robinson, Nebraska. It is estimated that approximately 400 war dogs will become available for return to civilian life by the end of 1944.

Dark Days for Racing
December 29,1944

The successful yearling sales and a successful racing season almost at its close are overlooked at the moment as owners and trainers try to plan for the future after the recent ban on racing.

As is well known, the horses at the southern tracks and the ones which were awaiting the opening of Santa Anita [Calif.] are in a worse jam than those horses which have been turned out at their owners’ farms or boarded at other stables for the winter months. Getting these horses back home present a great problem.

Despite the heavy handicap caused by the ban, the tracks, in true sportsmanlike fashion, have asserted their willingness to cooperate in every way possible. All tracks will be closed on January 3, 1945 to remain closed until the green light shines again. Other sports are also affected. The ban on racing has a far more reaching effect than most people realize.

Many Horsemen Have Hung Tack at Fort Riley
by Dave Woods
December 29, 1944

It’s an ever-changing picture here [at Ft. Riley, Kan.]; new faces mingled with the old familiar ones, but all interested in horses. The commanding general is the first man each morning to be up and on his horse. Tech Corporal Jerry Vahey, for years with F. Ambrose Clark’s fine stable, is authority for this information about Brigadier General Robert W. Strong. Vahey is the general’s orderly.

Over here in the Headquarters S-2 Section, the guiding spirit is Captain Howard Fletcher Jr., of Warrenton, Virginia. Captain Fletcher is a cousin of the well-known show rider North Fletcher.

There’s a long list of names, the following all officers, who are here or have been here for training, remained for a while to pass on their knowledge. Among them are Charlie Lewis, Pete Bostwick, Skiddy von Stade, Andy Fowler and Bobby Young.

One indication of almost universal horse interest is the ragged appearance of the various racing publications. Such homely and heart-warming things as The Chronicle, The Blood-Horse and The Daily Racing Form are well-worn, frayed, and marked by hundreds of hands.