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Eldred Powder
Firm Employees Get
Army-Navy E Award THE BRADFORD ERA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1945 |
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National Powder Co.
Employees Paid Tribute At Ceremonies Held In Portville, NY
Rewards for aiding the battle on the fighting front by production of munitions on the home front were presented to workers of National Powder Company of Eldred yesterday afternoon. The Army and Navy 'E' Award was made in the theater at Portville, NY, at ceremonies in which officials and employees of the company and representatives of the Army and Navy participated. Brief But Impressive The ceremonies were brief but impressive, with the Otto Township High School band providing the musical portion of the program and accompanying the audience in the singing of national songs. John J. Crumbaugh, general manager of the National Powder Company's plant was master of ceremonies and the program opened with the singing of 'America.' In his introductory remarks Mr. Crumbaugh said in part, "Mr. Grow our president, and Mr. Wean representing the employees, will no doubt tell you how sensible we are for earning this highest of production awards. Two years after National Powder Company began manufacturing high explosives, the British government asked us to manufacture a gelatin formula with which we were not familiar. We took this job, you men did it, and ahead of schedule. Immediately thereafter His Majesty's government again asked us to do an extremely large job of the same formula. This you also did and ahead of schedule. After Pearl Harbor millions of pounds were given us to manufacture by our own government, you did this and on time." Good Powder Makers "With the exception of two men in our plant you have all learned your powder making trade in this plant and you are good powder makers. The significance of this award is certainly emphasized when we realize, as Major Rial has told us, that less than four percent of the thousands of eligible contractors doing work for our government have won this award. Each and everyone of you participating have earned this honor and I congratulate you on it and rejoice with you in it." Mr. Crumbaugh then presented the representative of the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Ralph L. Dunckel, special assistant to the district chief, Pittsburgh Ordnance District, who made the award of the Army-Navy 'E' pennant. Lt. Colonel said, "In these days, when it is necessary to battle against complacency and personal greed at the same time that we are fighting the Germans and Japanese, it is particularly gratifying to be able to pay tribute to a group that has performed a job so far superior to the usual. This official recognition given to the men and women of the National Powder Company is the result of your outstanding contribution to the war effort. The Army-Navy 'E' Award is the highest honor your country can give for distinguished service in industry." Work Full Time "You have worked sixteen hours a day, seven days a week, for long periods of time in order to meet a deadline. You have demonstrated that a hazardous industry can work at top speed with only one lost-time accident in several years. The National Powder Company has been extremely reliable and cooperative. It has been a pleasure to do business with you. Newspapers are full of glowing accounts of the deeds of our service men, but too little space is devoted to the accomplishments of the man-behind-the-man-behind-the gun. It is the likes of you that make our military victories possible. A generous supply of war materials not only means certain and quick destruction of our enemies - it means safety and protection to our own troops while they are doing their job. An umbrella of friendly aircraft or artillery overhead, screening the infantryman, makes it possible for him to concentrate on his objective. This calls for an unbelievable quantity of supplies - not only because we are the Arsenal of Democracy, but also because war is such a wasteful business. Many ships and supply depots are lost through enemy action. The problem of supply from the small factories, such as yours, out across the oceans and around the world to the front line troops of the United Nations, makes a story that is astounding the world and confounding our enemies." Richly Deserved Honor "The honor paid you today is richly deserved for the quality and volume of your products for the tenacity of purpose you have displayed in meeting production schedules in the face of war-time obstacles. With the presentation of this award, you have won the right to wear the personal emblem that marks each of you as a member of a championship team. This achievement has been the result of teamwork. Management alone could not have won it, labor alone could not have won it, but the two, working together with unity of purpose, have achieved results that neither could have gained alone. But, this is not a Victory celebration! The same aggressiveness that has characterized your operations in the past must be continued. In accepting this honor today, you do more than acknowledge an award for a job well done. You pledge yourselves to continue doing a good job. There can be no slackening of the pace until peace reigns again. So, I urge you to gather new strength and courage from this award, to further distinguish yourselves in your jobs. Let this spur you on to those greater accomplishments, which must be had if our American way of life is to be preserved. Mr. Grow and Mr. Wean, on behalf of the Under Secretary of War, Robert Patterson, and the Under Secretary of Navy, Mr. Ralph A. Bard, it gives me great satisfaction to present the Army-Navy 'E' Award to the men and women of the National Powder Company." Mr. Grow and Mr. Wean held the flag extended for a moment and it was then given to the color guard, which hoisted it to the top of the flagpole to music by the band. Put Company Together In presenting W. F. Grow, the president of the National Powder Co., Mr. Crumbaugh said that with the aid of others and with well-directed effort on his own part, Mr. Grow "has put this company together and helped it stay, not only put together, but has helped it earn and maintain a position in this very large and important industry." Accepting the award on behalf of the management of the company, Mr. Grow said in part, "It is with gratitude and pride I accept this Army-Navy production award on behalf of the National Powder Company. Due to the co-operation of the United States Army Ordnance, Pittsburgh District, and the Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division, New York, our organization warrants this signal honor. We will be proud to fly this flag and wear the Army-Navy 'E' pin. Furthermore, I commit the entire resources of management and labor of this company now, and in the future, to our common good." Awards Citation Lieutenant Commander Robert C. Greenwald, U.S.N.R., representing the Navy was next to introduced by Mr. Crumbaugh for the purpose of reading the citation accompanying the award and of presenting the 'E' pins to representatives of the management and employees of the company. Lt. Commander Greenwald is in charge of the Erie Naval area and inspector of Naval materials. He said, "It is a real pleasure for me to present these pins to your representatives in behalf of all you workers of the National Powder Company. They are the Army and Navy's way of saying thanks - for a swell job. Each of these pins has a special meaning, as important in its way as the story told by a decoration on the tunic of a soldier or sailor. In the center of this pin stands the 'E', the badge of excellence, which has been given Navy gun crews since 1906. But its significance is broader. It means that each of you is a member of a winning industrial crew and that you have won the 'E' in competition just as stiff in its way as those in which Navy crews won their 'E'. Faith in Ability "The wearing of this pin might turn out to be the toughest job any of you have ever tackled. It probably will mean longer hours, faster schedules - anything for faster production. But just remember that the Army and the Navy once gave you an 'E' because you were part of a winning production team. They had faith in your ability to win this battle of production that must be fought on until the last blow is struck against our enemies and we have won the final victory. I have been directed by the Under Secretary of Navy to read the following citation: For meritorious and distinguished service to their country in its time of need, the Army-Navy Production Award is presented to the men and women of the National Powder Company, Eldred, PA. By their unflagging spirit of patriotism…by their acceptance of high responsibility…by the skill, industry and devotion they are showing on the production front of the great war in history…they are making an enduring contribution not only to the preservation of the United States of America, but to the immortality of human freedom itself. "With the time limitations of our ceremony, it would not be practical for me to present a pin individually to each employee. We will, therefore, make a token presentation to each of three representative employees." Presented by Veteran "As part of today's ceremony, we have a special guest who will assist me in presenting the 'E' pins to your selected representatives. This man is a returned, wounded soldier - Private Gifford P. Newton of Pittsburgh, PA. Private Newton of the infantry, is thirty-two years of age, and is married. He has been in service one year, with seven months overseas in Africa and Italy. He was wounded in the shoulder in an action near Rome. He wears the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Riflemen's Badge and the European Theatre of Operations ribbon with one star." Private Newton then joined Lt. Commander Greenwald and pins were presented to the following: Harry Lang, secretary of Local No. 118, International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers, which has been in charge of plant maintenance since 1937. W. F. Grow, president of the National Powder Company. Mr. Grow has been a resident of Duke Center for fifty years. He is also vice president of the Producers Bank and Trust Company of Bradford and has been a merchant in Duke Center for years. Harry Nelson, oldest employee of the National Powder Company, who has never been absent or late during his tenure. A veteran of World War I, Mr. Nelson is a fireman and assistant dope house foreman. Carold Wean, president of Local No. 118, International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers, who is the oldest powder man in the point of experience at the Eldred plant. Mr. Wean is an expert dynamite pack machine operator. Speaks for Employees Lieutenant Commander Greenwald, after explaining that each employee had received a pin in a special envelope, then asked them to stand and fasten them on. He then introduced Mr. Wean to speak for the employees of the company. Mr. Wean said, "On behalf of Local 118, Eldred, Pennsylvania, International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers, A.F.L., I thank you Lt. Colonel Dunckel for this Army-Navy production award. Every man and woman in this company will wear the 'E' emblem you have awarded us with heartfelt pride. We understand fully the responsibility that lies in this award. We freely shoulder that responsibility. We pledge you, sir, as we pledge every man in our Army and Navy, that we will keep on attacking on the production front. Those men are doing the fighting, and we shall keep on giving them the stuff to fight with. Six months from now we want a service star on at 'E' flag of ours. We'll do our level best to win that star and to win the war." National Anthem Sung The ceremonies were closed with the singing of the national anthem. Accompanying Lt. Commander Greenwald was Lieutenant R. S. Thompson, U.S.N.R. The Army party included Major George H. Knode, Major William S. Rial, Jr., Captain John C. Forelich, Captain Joseph M. Potter, Warrant Officer Seymore Simon, J. A. Brown, J. K. Brown and Vernon Norell of the Pittsburgh Ordnance District. The company has twenty-nine former employees in the armed services, to each of whom the company sent notices of the award and will send photographs and newspaper clippings of the ceremony. |
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NATIONAL POWDER
COMPANY
Eldred, McKean County, Pennsylvania W. F. Grow, President John J. Crumbaugh, Vice President and General Manager F. E. Wilson, Vice President W. S. Sullivan, Secretary H. L. Carter, Treasurer EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATING John Abel, Robert H. Abbey, Raymond E. Ault, Ralph Babcock, Ellery S. Blanchard, Harry Boyd, Carl W. Bradt, Victor R. Church, Ralph L. Cleveland, T. T. Cook, John J. Crumbaugh, H. L. Carter, George C. Clark, David Darrin, George Deabenderier, F. G. Dailey, E. Wendell Ewing, Ethel J. Ewing, Jean M. Eastman, Cassie S. Evans, Eugene H. Edwards, William J. Fehely, Curtis Fischer, James Gardiner, Jr., Lawrence E. Gerrety, W. F. Grow, Charles Gurney, Jr., A. J. Goodwin, William S. Hofer, Babbit A. Harris, Sanford Herrman, Thomas Huston, Wilma F. Harr, Arthur L. Kelley, Harry B. Lang, John R. Langworthy, Melvin A. Lilly, William McLaughlin, Walter B. Morris, Margaret M. Masterson,Ernest Mathias, Harry Nelson, Otto B. Nelson, Harry Reedy, Helen V. Ross, P. T. Rogers, P. C. Skinner,Albert Smith, Ralph Smith, Genevieve M. Smith, C. F. Studley, William Sewell, Jr., W. S. Sullivan,Claude E. Tanner, Genevieve M. Tucker, C. D. Van de Boe, Joseph Vanyo, Vern O. Warner, L. W. Watkins, Hartson Watson, C. W. Wean, F. E. Wilson EMPLOYEES NOW IN THE ARMED SERVICES Robert Bradt, Frank Breck, J. W. Crumbaugh, Charles Duell, Kenneth Eldridge, Earl Finn, Frank Frost, John Green, Calvert F. Hullihen, Lloyd Kenyon, A. L. Kline, Jr., Robert Mann, Ralph McGee, Lewis McKendrick, Walter McNamara, Carl Nelson, Elmer Pensworth, Stanley Petrosewitz, Robert Pollock, Harry Reedy, Jr., Howard Robinson, James Schmock, Robert Schmock, Emmet Shirey, Donald Smith, Joseph Smith, Judd Wursier |
 John J. Crumbaugh, Vice-President and General Manager of the National Powder Company, Eldred, smiles as Lt. Commander Robert Greenwald, USNR, inspects the Army-Navy 'E' pin awarded to him at ceremonies in Portville, NY, yesterday afternoon. |
 Lt. Colonel R. L. Dunckel inspects the Army-Navy 'E' pin worn by W. Fred Grow, President of the National Powder Company in Eldred, at the close of ceremonies during which the Army-Navy 'E' Pennant was awarded to the company in Portville, NY, yesterday afternoon. |