Hello everyone.
Last week, Rachel and I visited family and friends in New York- our first trip to the northeast since the shutdown.
During the trip, I was curious about an old heirloom; as I turned the vase, a packet of letters containing the war records of my great-grandfather fell out.
One of the many discovered items was a letter he penned to his superiors asking for unity and clear leadership amid divisive beliefs during WW2. His entreaties are all too relevant in today's socio-political climate. I hope you found it as interesting as I did; please enjoy.
The History of Colonel Kenneth Ogle
Kenneth Ogle was born May 10, 1889, in Indiana. His career began as a civil engineer for Overland Automobile.
He enlisted in the US Infantry, 42nd Division, in August 1917, attended the French American Infantry school, and was commissioned Lieutenant La-Valbonne, France, in September 1917.
During WW1, He fought under the command of Lieutenant General Hunter Liggett.
Wounded Champagne, France, 1918
Hospitalized discharged 1919, with arthritis from the injury
Re-commissioned Captain, National Guard, July 1934, 38th division (he would have been 45 at this point)
1943, promoted to Colonel.
During World War II, Colonel Ogle became increasingly vocal about the war administration and his fellow officers. He vocalized concerns regarding efficiency and discriminatory practices on several occasions. The changes he advocated led to a court martial after several officers accused him of being unpatriotic to the war efforts.
After discharge, he vigorously encouraged the United States to be more supportive of the British and create a fair environment for ALL soldiers. Out of extreme frustration with our government's stance on the war effort and the direction of the country, sadly, he took his own life in 1944.
I scanned his World War I orders and re-wrote his World War Two letter to the War Department. (attached)
The rest of the documents are in my office for anyone who wants to see them.
All my best
Christopher Lakian
AN AMERICAN OFFICER’S WORKING PHILOSOPHY
Notes of Colonel Kenneth L. Ogle, April 9, 1943, abridged by Andrea Lakian and Christopher Lakian.
There can be only one good reason for the kind of talk I propose to give at this time. That reason, as it appears to me, is this: any group, military or otherwise, in the long run is strong or weak as its leaders share or fail to share [the following]: one, a common indestructible conviction as to the merits of their cause; and two, agree in their hearts [as well as their minds] on the more important details essential to success.
Now there is no question in my mind, but that the officers of this battalion are convinced that Germany and Japan must be ultimately defeated, but as to detail, mainly as it affects our program, it is possible that we are not of one mind. It is more than likely – it is highly probable – for these very potent reasons: one, we live in a time of significant change, political, economic, and cultural. These changes have already profoundly affected our lives [particularly the older amongst us] and indeed have affected our various viewpoints; two, we come from all over the United States, and as we know, Americans have many things in common and also many beliefs that are opposed; three, we belong in the main to two political parties which have been fundamentally opposed to each other and also split with schisms; four, we were in opposing camps before Pearl Harbor, locked in violent argument and getting nowhere.
For all these reasons… we could not see eye to eye on method, and only our common decency and love of country and our bond as soldiers unite us.
What are some of the problems, particularly those relating to our work, that demand a common front?
Anti-Semitism, the intense anti-British feeling by German-Americans, Irish-Americans, Middle Westerners generally, etc.
The intense political feeling, felt by a significant part of the country, against President Roosevelt; the intensely bitter feeling on the part of the pacifists [Pearl Harbor was either a permitted or even an arranged incident, which would echo some of today's conspiracy theorists].
What should we strive for as officers of this Army in our greatest war? Perhaps a single bond, devotion to American liberty…the smashing of Nazism.
A fully matured approach toward the whole job is required so that our knowledge and convictions prepare us. We know what we want. We will act like solid men to reach our goal.