NATTC Timeline: September - December 1942
Choose Year/Month Combo:
September 20, 1942
- NATTC is commissioned in a colorful ceremony on September 20, 1942. See Figure 001.
November 12, 1942
- The first issue of the Bull Horn was published on November 12, 1942. Name chosen in contest won by R E Rampy YSC.
- The first AMM class of students graduated on October 24, 1942.
- Abey Simons designs first Christmas card for navy base.
- The postoffice moves to its permanent location in building 39.
- Station band reaches 67 members up from its nucleus of 20. Plays at the Naval Hospital Commissioning Ceremony, November 15, 1942. See Figure 002.
- Barracks 41 coke machine discovered to be giving out "extra" cokes. Situation quickly rectified.
- Station marines observe 167th Anniversary Day of the Marine Corps.
November 19, 1942
- 35mm sound motion equipment arrives on base.
- A second Ship's Service opens up in building 22, Area A. The Ship's Service in building 23, Area B, opened three weeks prior.
- Announcement that base commander, Lieutenant Commander Norman S. Gallison, to be transferred to N.A.T.T.C. Command in Chicago. Captain V. C. Griffin will relieve his command of the base. See Figure 003
- On Monday November 23, 1942 the base saw its first U.S.O. held in building 23 at 8:00 PM.
- The new Administration building is completed and move-in begins.
- Plans for a second base band announced.
- Chaplains Maurus Cook and Chalmers S. Long reported to base. Services held in building 23, recreation hall.
November 26, 1942
- Plans announced to widen and surface S. Jenkins street from Brooks Street to base north entrance.
- Base War Bond Queen contest announced, winner to be chosen at the end of December.
- Area E on th southern side of the base opened up on November 26th. Designated primarily for AOM school and students.
December 3, 1942
- Tuesday December 1st ceremony held when Captain Virgil C. Griffin assumed command of N.A.T.T.C. relieving Lieutenant Commander Norman S. Gallison. See Figure 004 and Figure 005.
- Ivar Steen and Edward Leroy Howe, both seaman second class, win a spud peeling contest at the Liberty Bank Show.
- Chaplain Maurus F. Cook officiated the station's first marriage on Thanksgiving Day. Williams Owen Barr, S2c, was married to Elizabeth Hayden Davies.
- 15 of 22 original seamen assigned to base during early construction still remain at base.
- Buildings 22 and 23 desginated to play 35mm first run movies.
- General Electric's House of Magic show featured on December 8th in building 23.
- First class of Marine Metalsmiths, all transfers from N.A.S. Alameda, California, graduated with high marks.
- Chow Hall in Area D opened up for use.
December 10, 1942
- Tex Beneke, nationally known saxophonist and vocalist with Glenn Miller's orchestra performed with the Modernaires on Thursday December 10th building 23 at 7:30 PM. He would soon become an important part of the station's welfare department. See Figure 006.
- A fire gutted Building 7, one of the I shaped two story classroom bulding in Area A. The Norman fire department whose aid was sought in extinguishing the flames were instructed by the navy not to release details concerning the fire.
- Heavy snow this week, over 3000 sailors stranded in Oklahoma City.
- Announcement that U.S.O. Camp Shows, Inc. will provide the station's entertainment.
December 17, 1942
- Announcement Orphan's Christmas party to be given in building 23 on December 25th for 75 orphans from Oklahoma City.
- Heading the Training School activity, from left to right in Figure 007: Lieutenant M. K. Humble, Director of Student Training; Lieutenant J. B. Piland, Officer-in-Charge of the Aviation Metalsmith School; Lieutenant (jg) O. H. Craig, Officer-in-Charge of the Aviation Ordnance Men's School; and Lieutenant C. W. Handy, Officer-in-Charge of the Aviation Machinists Mate School.
- Chief Yeoman J. F. Stevens, one of the first five men to report to this base, was transferred to Central Command in Chicago, Illinois.
December 24, 1942
- A. L. Simon, AMM3c, of the Art and Multilith Department designed the art work for the 1942 Souvenir Christmas menus and J. G. Graves, Pho3c and J. Roberts printed them using the stations own equipment. It was suggested to send the menus to the folks back home.
- Station war bond drive in full swing, paying 2.9 percent interest vs. 1 percent from banks.
- Announced that Christmas Dinner scheduled to be served at 1200. All hands will attend their regularly assigned mess halls with their guests.
December 31, 1942
- Christmas party given for 92 orphan children from Oklahoma City in building 23 which included presents, turkey dinner, trimmed tree and Santa Claus.
- Chief Rowden, chosen to be Santa Claus, passes out gifts and engages the children. See Figure 008.
- Announcement, a third Ship's Service Store on the station will be opened on Monday, January 4th, in building 24, Area D.
- No white Christmas but a good rain soaking on the day before complete with thunder and lightning.
- Located at 111 East Main, just east of the interurban station, the Norman USO will hosted a New Year's Eve party starting at 2200.
- The Administration building has its own mascot, a cat aptly named "Skipper", who enjoys sleeping in the filing cabinets.
- W. C. Baker, S2c, was captured by photo while turning a flip on the stations trampoline. Lt. (jg) G. G. Clark, athletic officer, can be seen in the background. See Figure 009.
- Christmas Dinner was a huge success at the station. Men without leave were allowed to bring guest into the station for the dinner. Here Charles Zwartendyk, F2c, serves turkey with all the fixin's to Onita Wheeler. See Figure 010.
- Chief Freidenburg talks things over with seven orphans from the Taylor home at the Christmas party for the orphans on Christmas Day.See Figure 011.
