The Spirit of '41 / The Spirit of '42

_______________________ 

[June 28, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

"Spirit of '41" Is New Show for Sunday 

"The Spirit of '41," a new program series in the interest of national defense, 
makes its debut on KGLO-CBS Sunday from 2:30 to 3 p. m. 

The new program is designed to bring radio listeners dramatic first-hand 
information about all the fighting units of the United States forces. Each 
week the program will single out one unit of the army, navy or marines and in 
dramatic form, trace its history and development up to the present time. The 
program's title, "Spirit of '41," will be epitomized by an on-the-spot 
broadcast showing the modern unit in action as it solves a war problem. 

During the opening program a part of the broadcast will be picked up from Fort 
Benning, Ga., where the 20th engineers will stage a demonstration of a war 
time attack. John Charles Daly, CBS announcer, will describe the maneuvers. 

The first half of the program originates in New York with a dramatization of 
the history and development of the Army Engineering corps. 
_______________________ 

[June 29, 1941 Washington Post]

3:30, WJSV--"The Spirit of '41" is a new Columbia series, devoting each 
program to a single unit of the national defense movement. The Army Engineer 
Corps is the opener, with the mikes shifting to Fort Benning, Ga., where the 
Twentieth Engineers stage a demonstration of wartime attack. 
_______________________ 

[July 5, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

AIR DRAMA ON DESTROYERS 

Sunday Broadcast to Trace Progress of Navy Branch 

The second broadcast of CBS's new series in the interest of national defense, 
"The Spirit of '41," to be heard over KGLO Sunday at 2:30 p. m., will trace 
the development of the destroyer service of the United States navy and provide 
a graphic picture of its present day activities. 

Burgess Meredith, nationally known actor of radio, stage and screen, acts as 
narrator of the dramatic part of the program. The last half of the broadcast 
will be devoted to an actual demonstration of destroyer crews in action, 
picked up from the deck of a destroyer in New York harbor.
_______________________ 

[July 6, 1941 Washington Post]

3:30, WJSV--Second of the new C.B.S. defense series "The Spirit of '41," 
traces development of the destroyer service of the Navy and presents graphic 
pickups from destroyers on actual duty, Burgess Meredith announcing.
_______________________ 

[July 9, 1941 Syracuse Herald Journal - syndicated Walter Winchell column 
item]

NEW YORCHIDS: ... The Sunday CBS program, "Spirit of '41" by Wyllis Cooper, 
starring Burgess Meredith. Thrilling . . . ...
_______________________ 

[July 13, 1941 Kansas City Star]

The "Spirit of '41" program will dramatize the history and growth of the 
United States marine corps, with Burgess Meredith as narrator on KMBC at 2:30 
o'clock today. An on-the-spot description of the marines in action at 
Quantico, Va., will be handled by Announcer John Charles Daly. 
_______________________ 

[July 13, 1941 Washington Post - with photo of John Charles Daly]

3:30, WJSV--Announcer John Charles Daly and Burgess Meredith go into the 
history and growth of the United States Marine Corps, with pick-ups from New 
York and Quantico for The Spirit of '41.
_______________________ 

[July 13, 1941 script excerpt]
COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM
THE SPIRIT OF '41
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 1941
4:30 - 5:00 PM EDST

CUE: (COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM)
     (........30 Seconds..........)

MUSIC: THEME ... FADE FOR:

ANNC'R: The Spirit of '41!

MUSIC: THEME FINISH

ANNC'R: Sunday afternnoon - and, in accordance with its policy of keeping the 
entire nation informed on the progress of national defense, the Columbia 
Network presents another in this series of programs devoted to the armed 
forces of the United States ... with Burgess Meredith, star of stage and 
screen, as your narrator and guide!

This week's program is about the United States Marine Corps - the Soldiers of 
the Sea, whose motto is "Semper Fidelis" ... "Always Faithful", and whose 
colours bear the proud boast of the corps - "From the Halls of Montezuma to 
the Shores of Tripoli"! The United States Army Band from Fort Totten, under 
the baton of Warrant Officer Fisher, opens the program with the famous 
"Marines' Hymn":


mlk
_______________________ 

[July 19, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Fifth Infantry Division 
ON THE MARCH 
—Hear "Action" on KGLO Sunday 

The United States infantry comes under the spotlight over KGLO Sunday at 2:30 
p. m. when Columbia network's "Spirit of '41" makes a trip to Fort Custer at 
Battle Creek, Mich., to broadcast a description of the famous fifth division 
in action.

With Burgess Meredith, narrator and John Charles Daly, announcer, the 
broadcast will give radio listeners the historic background of the infantry as 
well as a demonstration of the fifth division while it handles anti-tank guns, 
60 mm. mortars, 81 mm. mortars and light and heavy machine guns. 

Purpose of this broadcast is to show the public that today's infantry units, 
with their efficient, high-powered weapons are largely self supporting. 

The fifth division—known as the "Red Diamond" division through its red diamond 
insignia—was chosen for the program because it is one of the top divisions in 
the army with a fine record in France, and because it is one of the new 
"streamlined" divisions.
 
"Spirit of '41" is written by Wyllis Cooper, U. S. Cavalry reserve officer who 
saw action on the Mexican border in 1916 and who later went overseas with the 
131st infantry.
_______________________ 

[July 20, 1941 Washington Post]

3:30, WJSV--At last, the Infantry gets the salute on Columbia's "Spirit of 
'41." Burgess Meredith and John Charles Daly draw word pictures of the Fifth 
Division in action at Battle Creek's Fort Custer. To the uninitiated it gives 
news of antitank guns, 60 mm. mortars, 81 mm. mortars, light and heavy machine 
guns.
_______________________ 

[July 26, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]
[photo caption] The story of the 501st infantry (parachute) battalion barely 
has time to say "unnh!" before CBS Announcer John Charles Daly (left) is by 
his side with a microphone so Sunday audiences of "Spirit of "41" will get a 
first hand impression of a drop from the sky at Fort Benning, Ga. "Spirit of 
'41," each Sunday gives a dramatized history of branches of America's defense 
forces—and then moves to an on the spot broadcast.
_______________________ 

[July 27, 1941 Washington Post]

3:30, WJSV--If any member of the 501st Infantry Battalion yells "Geronimo," 
his buddies come to the rescue with the speed of a circus crew that has just 
heard "Hey, Rube." How the Fort Benning Parachute Battalion got that way is 
part of the Spirit of '41, which today details the work of two onetime West 
Point classmates, Capts. W. E. Yarborough and William Ryder.
_______________________ 

[July 27, 1941 The Long Beach Independent]

On the firing line of defense activities -- with the army in the field -- is 
CBS' special announcing duo Burgess Meredith and John Charles Daly. The pair 
is doing the "Spirit of '41" series for Columbia direct from maneuvers. 
Already they have followed the U.S. Engineers, microphone in hand, as they 
worked out a war problem. They've taken beatings with the Marines at Quantico, 
Va., as they landed from boats and they were under fire as much as any trainee 
when they went to Fort Custer at Battle Creek, Mich., to report the 5th 
Division Infantry in action. Today Meredith and Daly will give an on-the-spot 
broadcast of Uncle Sam's parachute battalion from Fort Banning, Ga., CBS-KNX, 
12:30 p m
_______________________ 

[July 27, 1941 The Long Beach Independent photo caption]

Soldier of the 501st Infantry parachute battalion barely has time to "unnh" 
before CBS Announcer John Charles Daly (left) is by his side with a microphone 
so today audiences of "Spirit of '41" will get first-hand impressions of a 
drop from the sky at Fort Benning, Georgia.
_______________________ 

[August 2, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Army Signal Corps Activities Described 

The various activities of the United States army signal corps are described by 
Burgess Meredith and John Charles Daly during the KGLO-CBS "Spirit of '41" 
program Sunday from 2:30 to 3 p. m. The broadcast originates at the army 
signal corps school and replacement center at Fort Monmouth, N. J.
_______________________ 

[August 3, 1941]
_______________________ 

[August 9, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]
 
Annapolis Choir on Naval Academy Hour 

"Spirit of '41," CBS defense program, takes KGLO listeners behind the scenes 
at the United States naval academy at Annapolis Sunday from 2:30 to 3 p. m. 

The program describes the various activities of the midshipmen at Annapolis 
and gives a brief history of the academy. The Annapolis choir participates in 
the program. 

Burgess Meredith and John Charles Daly describe the ceremonies attending the 
swearing in of a plebe. "Spirit of '41" is produced by Brewster Morgan. Wyllis 
Cooper writes the script.
_______________________ 

[August 10, 1941 Washington Post]

3:30, WJSV--The Naval Academy at Annapolis pays host to Burgess Meredith and 
John Charles Daly who describe the activities of the Midshipmen, including the 
swearing in of a plebe. The Annapolis choir is also heard.
_______________________ 

[August 16, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Will Tell of Plane's Gun Operations 

The nation's radio audience takes a vicarious ride in a United States navy 
bomber Sunday when Columbia network's "Spirit of '41" broadcasts a program 
devoted to the PBY bomber over KGLO from 2:30 to 3 p. m. 

The PBY bombers are similar to the Consolidated bombers the English now use 
and call Catalinas. It was one of these patrol bombers which sighted the 
German battleship Bismark [sic] before the British sent her to the bottom. 

During the broadcast, Announcer John Charles Daly, speaking from one of the 
gunner's turrets in a PBY, explains the ship's actions as it seeks out and 
bombs a target.
 
The story of the development of the PBY bombers and the work for which they 
are designed is told by the program's narrator, Burgess Meredith. 

Because of its relation to national defense, the origination point of the 
program cannot be announced.
_______________________ 

[August 17, 1941 Washington Post]

3:30, WJSV--It was a patrol bomber of the PBY class which sighted the Nazi's 
Bismarck before the British sent her to the bottom. This afternoon one of 
these American bombers goes for a spin, with announcer John Charles Daly 
explaining the ship's workings from one of the gunner's turrets.
_______________________ 

[August 24, 1941]
_______________________ 

[August 30, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

BIG GUNS TO BOOM SUNDAY 

The big guns boom on KGLO-CBS Sunday at 2:30 p. m. as "The Spirit of '41" sets 
up its microphones at Fort Bragg, N. Car. 

Burgess Meredith and John Charles Daly describe mobile field artillery units 
in maneuvers and bring 75 mm and the huge 155 mm guns into action. The 
historical background of the development of artillery forces in the United 
States also is touched upon by Burgess Meredith. Fort Bragg is the field 
artillery replacement center. Selectees are trained there before being 
transferred to other camps.
_______________________ 

[August 31, 1941 Washington Post]

3:30, WJSV--That most peripatetic of programs, The Spirit of '41, which is 
constantly scouring the country for defense news, airs from Fort Bragg's 75 mm 
and 155 mm guns--in action. Burgess Meredith and John Charles Daly wear the 
ear plugs.
_______________________ 

[September 7, 1941 pre-empted by National Singles Tennis Championships Finals]
_______________________ 

[September 13, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe Gazette]

Maneuvers Go on Air Next Week

With the biggest war games in American history going on in Louisiana, Columbia 
throws a group of its top special events men, news analysts, military 
experts—and a crew of engineers and technicians—into the field.

These men take the CBS microphones into the "front lines," follow the tanks 
and armored cars, catch the rapid fire of heavy machine guns and the bark of 
75's. 

These broadcasts, presenting a living record of American defense as the 
military swings into stride, are highlights of the KGLO-CBS network defense 
programs for the coming week. 

The battles last from two to three weeks. During that time, William L. Shirer, 
John Charles Daly, Eric Sevareid, Burgess Meredith and Columbia's military 
expert translate the battle of tanks and men and guns into words over the 
field microphones. 

They make daily broadcasts, on weekdays, 2:30 to 2:45 p. m. General reports 
are to be made on the "The World Today" news program three times a week on 
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 4:45 p. m. 

First on the spot pick-up of the maneuvers comes on the Columbia "Spirit of 
'41" program on Sunday at 2:30 p. m. This program originates on the Louisiana 
battlefields until the war games are closed.
_______________________ 

[September 14, 1941]
_______________________ 

[September 20, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe Gazette]

One thunderous motif dominates Columbia network's national defense programs as 
they will be heard over KGLO next week. 

It is the "Battle of Louisiana," biggest and perhaps the most vital maneuvers 
in United States army history. CBS, in addition to its regular and manifold 
programmed contributions to the defense effort, continues to bring the KGLO 
audience vivid and comprehensive on-the-scene description of the titanic 
"struggle" in which the nation's Second and Third armies are locked in the 
south. 

The maneuvers are heard each day at 2:30 p. m. 

CBS microphones travel in planes, zooming over the troops, accompany tank 
corps roaring over the countryside, join the engineers as they build pontoon 
bridges across surging streams, and record the staccato fire of machine guns 
and the bark ot heavy 75's. 

The CBS microphones are carried into the actual "battle" line by Columbia's 
special events staff, numbering some 15 men. These include not only the news 
analysts and military experts, but also the regular crew of engineers and 
technicians. 

Veteran Reporters John Charles Daly and Eric Sevareid, joined by Burgess 
Meredith, continue their broadcasts of army maneuvers from Monday to Friday. 
Each of these CBS correspondents is attached to units of the Second and Third 
armies battling in Louisiana. They are required to wear army uniforms, 
camouflage their equipment, and are subject to capture just as any other 
soldiers fighting in this "war." Sevareid, in fact, already may be 
theoretically dead.
_______________________ 

[September 20, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe Gazette]

Sunday Show Most Vivid of Air Series 

THIRD ARMY FIELD HEADQUARTERS SOMEWHERE IN LOUISIANA—Brewster Morgan, CBS 
director of defense programs, completed arrangements Friday for a "Spirit of 
'41" broadcast which should—if the gods of war smile—be the most vivid of the 
series. 

Sunday's "Spirit of '41," on KGLO-CBS from 2:30 to 3 p. m., will dramatize one 
of the telling ways in which Lieut. Gen. Walter Krueger is using aviation in 
his battle with the Second army. Gen. Krueger commands the Third army in this 
biggest peacetime maneuver of America's armed forces. 

The program, conceived in the sweaty activity of Third army field 
headquarters, follows the course of an aviation order from its reception at 
headquarters through to its execution by a squadron of bombers. If the inter-
army battle has reached a breathing spell—and no aerial action is called for 
from the field —"Spirit of '41" re-enacts an order actually received and 
executed at the height of hostilities. 

The fortunes of Mars may be running heavily against the Third army by this 
Sunday—in which case "Spirit of '41" is likely to find itself struggling to 
stay on schedule on warfare's hard necessities. If the enemy sends bombers 
over any of the three ground origination points, radio listeners may hear a 
show the like of which has never been aired. 

The show is expected to be of such magnitude as to require the services of the 
entire roster of microphone talent Columbia has sent to cover these maneuvers. 
John Charles Daly, one of the program's regular narrators, broadcasts from a 
bomber in full flight; Burgess Meredith, the stage and screen star who is the 
other regular narrator, returns to the maneuver area from New York to 
broadcast from air command headquarters. 

Morgan said he expected also to use Eric Sevareid, CBS Washington 
correspondent currently reporting Third army activities, and Willis Cooper, 
the blue-ribbon defense show's scrip [sic] writer—who made one of his rare 
appearances on the air in last Sunday's "Spirit of '41." Morgan, who produced 
the program, said he might even have to take over one of the mikes himself. 

Army officers actually involved in the preparation, transmission and execution 
of an aviation order enact their own parts on the air.
_______________________ 

[September 21, 1941]
_______________________ 

[September 27, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Submarine Under Water Goes on Air 

A breath-stopping broadcast from a submerged submarine near the United States 
submarine base at New London, Conn., is the dramatic beginning of Columbia 
network's defense program schedule for next week. 

"Spirit of '41," scheduled for Sunday at 1 p. m., features a special broadcast 
from the submerged submarine. Probably the most vivid of the entire series, 
this program presents detailed and colorful description of an exciting—but 
routine, to the sailors—event in our defense set-up.
_______________________ 

[September 28, 1941 - series moves to 2 p.m. Eastern]
_______________________ 

[October 3, 1941 Chicago Herald]

Radio Beams from Coast-to-Coast by Jack Heinz

... Spirit of '41 author Wyllis Cooper has traveled over 20,000 miles getting 
material and covering bdcsts [sic] ...
_______________________ 

[October 5, 1941]
_______________________ 

[October 8, 1941 San Antonio (TX) Light]

Radio Script Writer "Casualty"
 
Wyllis Cooper, script writer for CBS' "Spirit of '41" (KTSA—9:15 p. m. 
Wednesday) [sic] was a real casualty in the Louisiana maneuvers of the Second 
and Third armies. 

Cooper, assigned to the Second army, was at radio headquarters in the 
Winnfield, La., grammar school when Third army raiders planted smoke bombs in 
the school. 

Copper ran out with other correspondents, but with a lung full of smoke. Since 
he was severely gassed in the World war, he was particularly vulnerable. 

He still wheezes when he tries to talk.
_______________________ 

[October 11, 1941 Clearfield (PA) Progress reports that "Spirit of '41" is 
scheduled to broadcast "a general description of the air defense plan" for the 
United States on October 12.]
_______________________ 

[October 11, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Will Describe 
INVASION 
of "Enemy" Planes 

Anxious watchers on the Atlantic coast see the dark shapes of "enemy" bombers 
next week ... see swift interceptor planes take off to stop them ... see the 
thrilling "dog fights" that are to make the first air force air defense 
exercises a crucial test of the nation's readiness to repel an aerial invader. 

All Columbia network listeners don't live where they can see the show—but all 
can hear it. As the highlight of the CBS defense offering for next week, 
"Spirit of '41" makes a special broadcast from the scene Sunday at 1 p. m., 
describing the first spotting of the invading bombers by civilian watchers, 
the relaying of the information to air force headquarters, the dispatch of the 
interceptors. 

Climax of the show is a broadcast from one of the interceptor planes as it 
attacks a bomber.
_______________________ 

[October 12, 1941 Washington Post]

2, WJSV--But another one of the things Columbus wouldn't have considered are 
"enemy" planes sweeping in on his new land from the Atlantic. Spirit of '41, 
with Burgess Meredith and John Charles Daly at the mikes, describes the air 
war games now in progress up and down the Eastern seaboard.
_______________________ 

[October 18, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

CBS Mikes Go to Sandy Hook for "Attack" Airing 

Steps in the defense of one of the world's most important ports—New York 
Harbor—are brought to KGLO-CBS listeners at 1 p. m. Sunday in graphic form 
when "Spirit of '41" moves its microphones to Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook, 
N. J. 

Through the co-operation of the seventh regiment of Coast Artillery (harbor 
defense) and the fifty-second regiment of Coast Artillery (railroad guns), the 
program demonstrates what would happen if New York harbor were attacked by 
sea. 

Listeners get a radio view of the tactical use of the big railroad guns and 
sidelights on the use of camouflage. The mathematical near magic of range 
plotting and fire control is explained, with Narrator Burgess Meredith and CBS 
Announcer John Charles Daly again at the microphones. 
[photo caption] A real study in contrasts is provided by Columbia network's 
John Charles Daly as he turns to the ancient and nearly forgotten kerosene 
lantern to facilitate his "war" reports over the world's most modern vehicle 
of communication--radio. Stranded in the wilds "somewhere in America" in a 
"war-ridden community" during army maneuvers broadcast over KGLO-CBS, Radio 
Reporter Daly puts the old and the new together with satisfying results. 
Columbia network's coverage of big wartime maneuvers of Uncle Sam's new 1941 
army is part of its "Spirit of '41" program, heard Sundays at 1 p. m.
_______________________ 

[October 19, 1941 Washington Post]

2, WJSV--The defense of New York harbor, probably one of the most pondered of 
the "emergency's" eventualities, is described by Burgess Meredith and John 
Charles Daly, whose microphones are set up at Sandy Hook's Fort Hancock.
_______________________ 

[October 25, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

WHAT MAKES ACE AVIATORS? 

Listen to Broadcast From Aviation Base Sunday at 1 p. m. 

In a graphic prelude to Navy day, Columbia network's "Spirit of '41" sets up 
its microphones at the United States naval reserve aviation base at Atlanta, 
Ga., and at the naval aviation base in San Diego, Cal., to bring KGLO 
listeners a picture on Sunday at 1 p. m. of the painstaking work that goes 
into the training of an aviator. 

The United States naval reserve aviation base at Atlanta is a center for 
elimination flight training. Cadets are stationed there for from 30 to 60 days 
and if they pass their tests are sent on for advance training at Pensacola, 
Jacksonville or Corpus Christi. 

The cadets are put through a rigid series of tests, both physical and mental, 
and it is with this routine that the "Spirit of '41" broadcast from that point 
concerns itself to acquaint listeners with the myriad details that go into the 
making of an airman. 

The second part of the broadcast, from the naval aviation base at San Diego, 
completes the picture with a demonstration of the activities and duties of an 
aviator after he has made the grade. 

Narrator Burgess Meredith and Announcer John Charles Daly have the microphone 
assignments.
_______________________ 

[October 26, 1941 Washington Post]

2, WJSV--For a prelude to an ominous Navy Day, Columbia's Spirit of '41 sets 
up its mikes at the Naval Reserve Aviation Base in Atlanta and at the Naval 
Aviation Base in San Diego for a comprehensive view of the training of 
aviators.
_______________________ 

[October 28, 1941 Long Beach Independent HIGHLIGHTS of the AIRLANES column]

... One of the peak dramatic moments of the Navy Day programs will be today 
over Columbia's "Spirit of '41" broadcast when a description of an attack 
direct from a Navy dive bomber will be given by Chet Huntley of the CBS-KNX 
announcing staff. As Lieutenant Bowen tips the [nose?] of one of the Navy's 
latest dive bombers for the power dive descent from 15,000 feet in a simulated 
attack on a target boat, Huntley will describe the "thrill" over shortwave. On 
the target ship itself will be Hal Sawyer, another KNX announcer, to describe 
the bomber's attack on the ship. "Spirit of '41" is heard at 2 p. m. ...
_______________________ 

[November 1, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Broadcast From Big Balloon 

The barrage balloon, that elephantine English defense device that keeps nazi 
bombers so high they lose aim—and which is thus credited with saving many a 
British life and many a British home—is the next objective of Columbia 
network's "Spirit of '41." 

For the United States has them, too, and on the Sunday program over KGLO at 1 
p. m., CBS sets up its microphones in America's own barrage balloon training 
center at Camp Davis, Holley Ridge, N. Car.
 
The defense program, which has given listeners vicarious rides on army 
bombers, escorted them though submarines, taken them aboard navy cruisers and 
shown them how the marines land and get the "situation well in hand," this 
time takes its audience through the intricate paces of barrage balloon 
maneuvers. 

The branch of the service heard in action as it works out various defense 
problems is Battery A of the 301st Coast Artillery Battalion (Barrage 
Balloons).
_______________________ 

[November 2, 1941 Washington Post]

2, WJSV--The barrage balloons, those comical but valuable defense devices, 
have their fling. The Spirit of '41 program airs from Camp Davis, nesting 
place for Uncle Sam's bulbous blimps and training center for the men who 
operate them.
_______________________ 

[November 8, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

NOTE BIRTHDAY OF MARINES 

"Spirit of '41" Will Pay Tribute to Leathernecks 

On November 10, 1775, in Old Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, the United States 
marine corps was organized . . . 

In honor of this anniversary of one of Uncle Sam's most colorful military 
units, "Spirit of '41" devotes its broadcast on Sunday over KGLO-CBS at 1 
p. m. to a salute to the Leathernecks. 

Major General Thomas Holcomb, major general commandant of the marines, is to 
read the traditional marine corps birthday, a standing order of the marine 
corps manual which is read before members of the corps on every anniversary. 
The marine corps birthday outlines the purpose and traditions of the marines, 
whose first active engagement was with Washington at the Battle of Trenton, 
and who were organized as landing parties to fight from ships on the Great 
Lakes. 

In addition, the program brings to mind the wide scope of marine duties as it 
picks up reports from marine posts all over the world.
_______________________ 

[November 9, 1941 Long Beach Independent HIGHLIGHTS of the AIRLANES column]

... In honor of this anniversary of one of Uncle Sam's most colorful military 
units, "Spirit of '41" devotes its broadcast today to a salute to the 
Leathernecks, KNX, 11:00 a.m.

Major General Thomas Holcomb, Major General Commandant of the Marines, is to 
read the traditional Marine Corps Birthday a standing order of the Marine 
Corps Manual which is read before members of the Corps on every anniversary. 
The Marine Corps Birthday outlines the purpose and traditions of the Marines, 
whose first active engagement was with Washington at the Battle of Trenton, 
and who were organized as landing parties to fight from ships on the Great 
Lakes. ...
_______________________ 

[November 9, 1941 Washington Post]

2, WJSV--One November 10, 1775, in Old Tun Tavern on Philadelphia's Chestnut 
Street, the United States Marine Corps was founded. Spirit of '41 marks this 
important anniversary by presenting Maj. Gen. Thomas Holcomb, Commandant of 
the Marines, as he reads the traditional Marine Corps Birthday, a standing 
order of the manual which is read before members of the corps on every 
anniversary. Music by the Marine Band.
_______________________ 

[November 16, 1941 pre-empted by star-studded, multi-network American Red 
Cross Roll Call special "Narrative in Red and White"]
_______________________ 

[November 22, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

ARMY GAMES ON AIR SUNDAY 

First and Fourth Army Corps Compete in South Carolina 

As the army maneuvers in South Carolina get under way in full force, "Spirit 
of 41" takes its microphone to the center of activities to bring KGLO-CBS 
listeners a vivid picture of our doughboys in action, Sunday at 1 p. m. 

The South Carolina army maneuvers have the first army and the fourth army 
corps opposing each other. In the problem which is being worked out, the 
fourth army corps is badly outnumbered by the first army, but the fourth has 
superior strength in tanks and airplanes. Thus the maneuver problem is that of 
a force superior in manpower trying to stop a heavily mechanized force. 

The "Spirit of 41" coverage of the maneuvers is under the direction of 
Brewster Morgan, CBS director of defense programs.
_______________________ 

[November 23, 1941]
_______________________ 

[November 30, 1941]
_______________________ 

[December 6, 1941 Chicago Tribune]

The naval intelligence department, CBS announced yesterday, has given the 
network permission to present its "Spirit of 41" broadcast at 1 p. m. Sunday 
from the Brooklyn navy yard. CBS broadcasters, the report said, had been 
granted permission "to describe in considerable detail repairs being made at 
the yard to damaged warships." Not long ago the Navy department imposed a 
censorship on news of this type.
_______________________ 

[December 6, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Navy Yard Setting for Broadcast 

Enveloped in unusual secrecy beforehand, the Columbia network's "Spirit of 
'41" moves into the Brooklyn Navy Yard for the broadcast to be heard over KGLO 
Sunday at 1:30 p. m. to bring listeners a report on some of the yard's 
activities never before touched upon over the radio. 

Permission for the broadcast was granted by the navy department, but on the 
agreement that no previous information be given out which might be of aid to 
subversive forces. 

Details for the program were worked out by Brewster Morgan, supervisor of CBS 
defense programs. Script Writer Wyllis Cooper and Announcer Rush Hughes have 
the microphone assignments under the watchful eye of Navy Intelligence, which 
approved one pre-program revelation: 

The broadcast is to be permitted to describe in considerable detail the 
repairs being made at the yard to damaged warships.
_______________________ 

[December 7, 1941 -- According to CBS, at 2:31 p. m., John Charles Daly 
announces the attack on Pearl Harbor at the beginning of the regularly-
scheduled newscast that followed "The Spirit of '41."]
_______________________ 

[December 14, 1941]
_______________________ 

[December 20, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Army Choral Groups to Broadcast Sunday 

Two choral groups which have been organized at Fort Belvoir, Va., will be 
heard in a special Christmas program on "Spirit of '42" Sunday at 1 p. m. 

The first group, organized last August as part of the recreational and 
cultural activities of Group II in the engineer replacement training center, 
embraces four Negro battalions. The second group was organized late in 
November by Private James Burrell, a former New York theatrical player.
_______________________ 

[December 21, 1941]
_______________________ 

[December 27, 1941 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

"Spirit of '42"--which started its CBS career last summer as "Spirit of '41"--
offers another program devoted to the techniques and developments of the 
various branches of the army, navy and marine corps over KGLO-CBS Sunday at 1 
p. m. 

Rush Hughes, son of Rupert Hughes, the writer, handles the on-the-spot 
broadcasts, with Wyllis Cooper as narrator and script writer. Program is 
produced by Brewster Morgan under supervision of the war and navy departments.
_______________________ 

[December 28, 1941 Washington Post]

2, WJSV--Time Flies: "Spirit of '41" becomes "Spirit of '42."
_______________________ 

[December 28, 1941 San Antonio Light]

... "The Spirit of '42" offers another program devoted to branches of the 
army, navy and marine corps (KTSA-1 p. m.). Rush Hughes, son of Rupert Hughes, 
the writer, handles the spot broadcasts, with Wyllis Cooper as narrator and 
script writer. ...

1:00 p.m.—"SPIRIT OF '42" Description of the activities at another United 
States training center. ...
_______________________ 

[January 3, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

DEMONSTRATE GAS ATTACKS

Chemical Warfare Is Subject of Sunday's Airing

A program of special application to civilian defense will be  broadcast on 
KGLO-CBS Sunday at 1 p. m when "Spirit of '42" devotes its time to a 
demonstration of chemical warfare, including various methods of gas attacks.
 
Originating at the Edgewood arsenal in Maryland, the program brings radio 
listeners first-hand information on how to combat incendiary bombs. Airplanes 
are to fly over a model house and actually drop live bombs—with a CBS mike 
planted nearby. 

The problems of protection against poison gas and how to counteract its effect 
are outlined during the broadcast of a gas attack demonstration. 

On-the-spot descriptions of these actual demonstrations are given by Rush 
Hughes, Wyllis Copper, [sic] and by Brewster Morgan, who is supervisor of the 
program for CBS. 
_______________________ 

[January 4, 1942]
_______________________ 

[January 10, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

How Navy Trains Men for Radio—Subject of "Spirit of 1942" 

How does the navy take civilians and, in four months time, turn them into 
efficient radio operators and technicians? 

That question is answered on the Columbia network's "Spirit of '42" to be 
heard over KGLO Sunday at 1:30 p. m, when the program goes to the U. S. naval 
training school at Noroton Heights, Conn. 

With announcer Rush Hughes, program supervisor Brewster Morgan and script 
writer Wyllis Cooper at the microphones, the program gives radio listeners a 
compact, graphic picture of how the navy radio school, under the command of 
Capt. William Baggaley, puts its men through a course of training which in 
four months turns them into the efficient type of workers the navy demands.
_______________________ 

[January 11, 1942]
_______________________ 

[January 17, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

SPIRIT OF '42 TAKES TO AIR 

Sunday Program Originates From Maxwell Field 

Columbia network's "Spirit of '42" goes to Maxwell Field, near Montgomery, 
Ala., Sunday at 1 p. m. to give KGLO-CBS listeners a radio "view" of how Uncle 
Sam trains his modern version of the "Three Musketeers"—airforce pilots, 
navigators and bombardiers. 

Maxwell Field is part of the southeast air corps training center, under the 
command of Major General Walter Weaver. The training center proper consists of 
34 airdromes scattered over seven southeast states. This year it will train 
between 10,000 and 15,000 airmen. 

On "Spirit of '42," with Announcer Rush Hughes, Program Supervisor Brewster 
Morgan and Script Writer Wyllis Cooper at the microphones, various phases of 
air force training are explained for listeners as cadets go through actual 
maneuvers. One part of the program is devoted to a special shortwave broadcast 
from a training plane with an instructor and air cadet in flight. 

British cadets training at the center take part in the broadcast as does the 
only Negro aviation cadet corps, which flies over from Tuskegee for the 
program. Music is by the 80 piece training center band. 
_______________________ 

[January 18, 1942]
_______________________ 

[January 24, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Spirit of '42 Will Visit West Point 

"Spirit of '42," the CBS defense program which has traveled throughout the 
nation bringing listeners on-the-spot descriptions of United States military 
preparations, sets up its microphones at the United States military academy at 
West Point for the Sunday broadcast over KGLO at 1 p. m. 

The program, for the most part, is devoted to the deeply imbedded traditions 
which surround life at the academy, which opened July 4, 1802, with ten 
cadets. West Point itself, has been a military post since Jan. 20, 1778. 

Brewster Morgan, Wyllis Cooper and Rush Hughes again take part in the program. 
_______________________ 

[January 25, 1942]
_______________________ 

[January 31, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Weather Is Subject of Sunday Show 

How the United States air corps trains its cadets to know what kind of weather 
to expect and, what is more important, when to expect it, is pictured 
dramatically for KGLO-CBS listeners Sunday at 1 p. m., when "Spirit of '42" 
sets up its microphones in the weather station at the department of 
meteorology at New York university. 

New York university established its department of meteorology in 1838, and for 
the last two years has turned its facilities over to government agencies, 
including the navy and federal weather bureau. At present a class of 60 men 
from the various government sources is studying there, with a new class 
scheduled to enter in March. 

After completing the course of training, the men are sent to other weather 
stations as weather officers. 
_______________________ 

[February 1, 1942]
_______________________ 

[February 7, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Mechanics of Air Corps on Spirit of '42 

From an army airfield "somewhere in New England," Columbia network's "Spirit 
of '42" brings radio listeners a report on army air corps maintenance as it 
goes out on KGLO Sunday from 1 to 1:30 p. m. 

The program dramatizes the work of mechanics, in the base and mobile units, as 
they go about their duties of keeping planes flying for the Atlantic patrol. 
_______________________ 

[February 8, 1942]
_______________________ 

[February 15, 1942]
_______________________ 

[February 21, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Stay-at-Home Marines on Spirit of '42 

"Spirit of "42" sets up microphones in New York, Washington and Chicago on 
Sunday at 1 p. m. to bring KGLO-CBS listeners stories on the Class 4 
enlistments in the United States marine corps. 

The marine corps is accepting ex-marines in its ranks, men up to the age of 50 
years who have served in other wars. These men are the Class 4 marines, 
confined to home duty, whose unselfish actions release younger men for active 
duty. 

Many are businessmen, family men, men who have given up much to "join up." All 
have stories to tell. They'll be interviewed for radio listeners by Brewster 
Morgan, Wyllis Cooper and Rush Hughes.
_______________________ 

[February 22, 1942]
_______________________ 

[February 28, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Training of Officers Is Air Subject 

How does Uncle Sam go about the important job of training officers to lead his 
armed forces? 

The question is answered—as far as the infantry is concerned— when Columbia 
network's "Spirit of '42" takes KGLO listeners Sunday at 1 p. m. to the 
officer's candidate school, Fort Benning, Ga. 
 
The broadcast, beginning with an eye-witness report on the acquisition of 
officer material, with Brewster Morgan, Wyllis Cooper and Rush Hughes at the 
microphones, gives a nutshell demonstration of what infantry officers are 
taught. Listeners are taken into the army classrooms and shown how military 
theory is developed, and are given a vicarious trip to the firing range when 
37 mm. antitank guns, various machine guns, and the 60 mm. mortar are put 
through their paces. 

Music for the program is by the 29th infantry band of Fort Benning, one of the 
crack bands of a crack regiment which has for the last decade been testing and 
perfecting infantry developments.
_______________________ 

[March 1, 1942 - Washington Post "Today's Radio Highlights" column]

... 2 [p.m.], WJSV -- Fort Benning's Officers Candidate School, how it 
functions and its importance, occupies Spirit of '42 with Brewster Morgan, 
Wyllis Cooper and Rush Hughes. ...
_______________________ 

[March 7, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

MILITIA UNIT GOES ON AIR 

"Spirit of "42" to Visit Outfit at Delavan, Ill.
 
"Spirit of '42" momentarily deserts the roar of big guns and rumble of tanks 
in the nation's training centers to set up its microphones Sunday in the 
little town of Delavan, Ill., home of Company L, 6th regiment (infantry), of 
the Illinois reserve militia. KGLO airs the show. 

The history of Delavan's militias dates back to the outbreak of the Civil war 
when, with a population of less than 300, the township raised the nucleus of 
two companies of infantry. The company was called into federal service during 
the Spanish American war but, like other Illinois regiments was not ordered 
into action. During World war I it became Company B, 122nd Machine Gun 
Battalion, and saw active service abroad. 

Today Company L is commanded by Captain H. S. Alexander, the town's local Ford 
dealer. Members of the company are even now standing by to be ordered to guard 
duty at important bridges at Pekin, Ill.
_______________________ 

[March 8, 1942]
_______________________
_______________________

[March 15, 1942]
_______________________ 

[March 21, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Many Mason Cityans heard with a feeling of pride the announcement that Mrs. 
Julia Flikke, former Mason Cityan, had been commissioned the first woman 
colonel in the United States army, a feature of the "Spirit of '42" program on 
a nationwide CBS broadcast last Sunday. 

Mrs. Flikke, whose husband was Milwaukee freight agent here until his death in 
1911, is head of the entire U. S. army nursing corps. She appealed via the 
airlanes to unmarried registered nurses to join the nursing service which is 
expanding as rapidly as possible in order to have the personnel to "go 
wherever the army goes." 

"I'd still rather be called Mrs. Flikke," said the colonel when she was 
visiting here last summer. She felt that it might be "putting it on" to be 
greeted as major, her rank at that time.
_______________________ 

[March 21, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

ON AIR FROM NAVY DIRIGIBLE

"Spirit of '42" to Visit East, West Coasts Sunday 

From somewhere in America—or "somewhere over America"—"Spirit of '42" covers 
the work of navy lighter-than-air craft KGLO-CBS Sunday at 1 p. m 

The broadcast originates from both the Atlantic, and Pacific coasts, where not 
only are navy men being trained in dirigible technique, but where active 
patrol is in force.

With Brewster Morgan, Capt. Wyllis Cooper and Rush Hughes at the microphones, 
the broadcast is to describe operational duties of the lighter-than-air 
patrols as they search for enemy submarines and surface craft. Training and 
qualifications of the men also are embraced. 

The program is produced by Brewster Morgan in close co-operation with the 
United States government.
_______________________ 

[March 22, 1942]
_______________________ 

[March 29, 1942 New York Times]

THE WAR PROGRAMS 

In Which It Is Suggested That, in the Long Run, Facts Are Good Ammunition 

By JOHN K. HUTCHENS

Doubtless it is a little early to be talking about what constitutes the ideal 
war program on the radio -- i.e., the program best designed to stir its 
hearers to an acute awareness that they are participants, each and every one 
of them, in a conflict that marks a turning point in history. On second 
thought, there probably is no point in discussing the ideal war program, as 
such, at all. Elsewhere in the radio business the most optimistic program 
department does not expect any one listener to be moved by the same degree by 
drama, comedy, light and serious music, quiz shows, etc. For the same reason, 
people listening to war programs (and they must include most adults capable of 
turning a dial) cannot reasonably be expected to react with equal fervor to 
all the special wartime fare now put before them. It becomes, then, more or 
less a problem of deciding for one's self what kind of program strikes one 
most forcibly.

Obviously, it is a large field to choose from, and will remain so even after 
the ineffective matter has been weeded out and the remainder properly spaced 
across the dial and around the clock: Arch Oboler's fierce dramas; the "This 
Is War!" series that Norman Corwin is directing; the transcribed Treasury Star 
Parade series; the shows produced and performed in training centers by 
talented members of the armed forces; the special talks. Most of these are 
legitimately planned to inspire, startle and awaken, though some of the less 
direct appeals also have been effective -- such a bill as William Trenk, 
formerly of the Paris and Vienna radio, recently staged for WNYC under the 
title of "Old Vienna Versus the New Order," which in its nostalgic evocation 
of a shattered civilization carried implications of what could happen to our 
own.

And then there are those shows which, like "Spirit of '42," report as simply 
and objectively as possible on the preparations for the day when America will 
really take the offensive. To this listener, that kind of program is the most 
telling of all.

Different Goals

That is said with full recognition of the fact that no installment of "Spirit 
of '42," say, carries the same kind of impact you felt upon hearing Mr. 
Corwin's superb salute to the Bill of Rights, "We Hold These Truths," or 
Stephen Vincent Benét's "Your Army," which at this writing is still the best 
of the "This Is War!" series. There is a distinct difference in form and 
intent -- the difference between a first-rate newspaper story and any 
contrived account, fictitious or otherwise. Inevitably, too, there is a 
difference in the response of the individual.

To the objective, eyewitness story the reader -- or in this case, the listener 
-- brings his own emotion, the intensity of which depends of course upon his 
own background, personality, imagination. Ernest Hemingway once said that most 
writers achieve an emotional effect by describing emotion instead of the 
causes of it, his own preference being for the latter method. He, as it 
happened, chose fiction as the medium for his objective technique; but the 
principle holds true in such programs as "Spirit of '42" and "They Live 
Forever" and, to a lesser extent, "Report to the Nation" and "March of Time." 

Hearing them, you will not experience the exaltation induced by a creative 
work of art, but you will know the sharp and stinging force of reality. Still 
speaking in terms of personal preference, it is the notion of this column that 
for the purpose at hand, which is the psychological preparation of the 
American people for a fearful ordeal, this is the approach best suited to a 
program that has enlisted for the duration. For it is unfortunate, but also 
true and human, that the exhortatory, inspirational program can reach a 
saturation point. The informational one is not likely to.

They Get Around

It can do a number of things, the informational program can, particularly when 
it goes visiting to the training camps. When it arrives there, it speaks with 
authority from places where things are happening, bringing you the voices of 
men who are immediately in charge of preparing America for its greatest 
crisis. And the voices are real -- no carefully modulated diction, but the 
plain talk of men from the farms and the cities, in accents from every section 
of the land. You get the sense, as you never would in a prepared address, of a  
people's army in the making. And the sound effects are not "effects" in the 
calculated manner of a studio production. The guns and whirring motors are as 
real as the voices and terse talk of busy and earnest men, and they are 
effective for the same reason.

"Spirit of '42," which skips a performance today and will shortly begin a 
vacation, has set a pattern that other programs would do well to heed; and 
perhaps we will get something of the sort when the "Army Hour" opens a week 
from today on WEAF. With Brewster Morgan, Wyllis Cooper and Rush Hughes 
setting the stage and asking the questions, "Spirit of '42" has provided 
something like a combination first-rate, on-the-spot reporting and feature 
writing. When you sat through half an hour with them you learned something. 
You heard and, vicariously, you saw, and it would be astonishing only if you 
did not feel a certain lift, a greater confidence. Morale, it is called. 
Which, of course, is the idea of the whole thing.
_______________________ 

[April 5, 1942]
_______________________ 

[April 11, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Spirit of '42 Changes Style of Program 

The KGLO-CBS program "Spirit of '42," which, since its first broadcast June 
29, 1941, has brought listeners eye-witness reports on the training of 
America's armed forces, changes the format of its weekly broadcasts beginning 
Sunday, from 1 to 1:30 p. m., after which service bands of the army, navy and 
marines are to make up the program. 

This half hour broadcast of band music is in line with President Roosevelt's 
suggestion of a few weeks ago that the nation should have more parades and 
martial music. 

Sunday, it's the navy band, under the direction of Lieutenant Charles 
Brendler. The marine band, directed by Captain William F. Santelmann, is heard 
April 19 and the army band, directed by Captain Thomas D'Arcy, plays April 26. 

The bands of the three services then continue to rotate on the program series. 
On each broadcast, a high ranking officer of the branch of the service 
represented by the band is to speak briefly. 
_______________________ 

[April 18, 1942 Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette]

Kate Smith to Sing on Spirit of '42 Program 

President Roosevelt has asked for stirring music and parades to reflect the 
martial spirit of America, and the Columbia Broadcasting System is responding 
with a thrilling new program series of marches played by the bands of the 
Army, Navy and Marine corps on "Spirit of '42," with radio's great favorite, 
Kate Smith as singing mistress of ceremonies on the opening program over KGLO 
from 1 to 1:30 p. m. 

The new series, which in the past has presented eyewitness broadcasts of a 
United States training for war, snaps to attention under the production and 
direction of Ted Collins, producer of the Kate Smith hour.

The program Sunday comes from the Washington Navy Yard.
_______________________ 

[April 19, 1942 New York Times

RADIO ROW: A COUPLE OF FOOTNOTES

... [Kate Smith] becomes mistress of ceremonies today for "Spirit of '42," 
this in accordance with the change of format which last Sunday found the show 
switching to a musical program. "Spirit of '42," in its old form had not run 
out of material; it had simply become too difficult to set the show up in 
advance, what with sudden troop movements, censorship, etc. ...





Last updated: 17 June 2008