NOTE:Publication of the Occupation Diary, First Cavalry Division (1945-1950) will appear, as installments, on the Historian Corner on a continuing basis as time and space permits. Each installment will be subsequently moved to the History Annex Page when a new installment is published. Therefore, if an installment is missed during the period it was published, it may be viewed on the History Annex Page.

Continued: Installment 11:

Named in honor of Captain William C. Cornelius, killed in the division's campaign in the Admiralties, the field house at Camp Drake serves as a sport center for the command post. It is also the scene of many division-final indoor sports events

March 1949 saw the First Cavalry Division write finis to the square division, as it was retitled First Cavalry Division (Infantry), and organized as a regular, triangular infantry division.

Individual brigade ceremonies marked the change in organization. Elsewhere in the division the change-over was marked by diligent work on the part of all to adjust to the new status. The 12th Cavalry Regiment became inoperative and most of its members were transferred to the 32nd Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division. A cadre of 400 enlisted men was furnished to the 24th Infantry Division during the month. This reduced the division strength close to its authorization of 11,496 enlisted men, 44 warrant officers and 692 officers.

During April 1949, all units of the division continued their training programs in Phase I and Phase II. Tokyo Metropolitan Area Headquarters took over responsibility for Mobilization Training Program test administration and gave tests to one battalion of the 7th Cavalry Regiment and to the entire 8th Cavalry Regiment. In addition, plans were made by division units for total participation in summer training maneuvers at Camp McNair, the division maneuver area located on the slopes of Mount Fuji.

A levy of 3400 soldiers against the First Cavalry Division was made in the fulfillment of Eighth Army plans to redistribute personnel losses throughout the theater. Although it was obvious that the reduction in strength would be simultaneous with a lowering in efficiency, the condition was to be temporary in nature, with the first of 3000 replacements due to arrive in May.

A fine piece of Japanese handiwork is inspected by a trooper of the Seventh Cavalry Regiment prior to purchase in one of the many shops along Tokyo's famous Ginza Street. Souvenir hunting is one of the most popular pastimes for occupation personnel

Additional highlights for the month of April included the appointment of Brigadier General Thomas W. Herren as assistant division commander on April 5, and a three day division command post exercise on April 29. May 1949 saw all units of the division engaged in Phase I and II of the Mobilization Training Program. The 8th Cavalry Regiment moved to Camp McNair, advance elements arriving on May 19, 1949, and the remainder on May 21, 1949, where they engaged in conducting Phase II of the Mobilization Training Program, consisting of range firing, combat problems and field exercises. Colonel George A. Millener was designated to assume responsibility for the operation and administration of Camp McNair.

On May 28 at Camp McGill, the 5th Cavalry Regiment observed its organization day and was presented the Presidential Unit Citation by Lieutenant General Walton H. Walker, commanding general, Eighth Army.

During the month, a weekly Troop Information Hour was established for the officers of the division headquarters and Camp Drake units. On May 11, Lieutenant Colonel Edward R. Ott, General Headquarters administrative and fiscal officer, and former history professor at Louisiana State University, spoke to the group on the situation in China. It was planned that future hours would comprise of guest speakers, division G-2 briefings on world events and would be utilized as commander's hours to discuss military matters of significance to the officers assigned to division headquarters and units.

The Officer's Call program was also instituted during May and, at division headquarters, was conducted by the Division Chief of Staff, Colonel Wayland B. Augur.

A front view of the 15th Medical Battalion's dispensary at Camp Drake where all troops from First Cavalry Division headquarters and dependents from nearby Momote Village receive medical aid. The dispensary along with a small but adequate hospital in the rear, is operated by approximately 240 skilled medical men and officers.

The month of June saw three new regimental commanders assigned in the division. Colonel George A. Millener assumed command of the 7th Cavalry Regiment from Colonel Charles R. Chase, upon the latter officer's reassignment to the States. Colonel Raymond D. Palmer took command of the 8th Cavalry Regiment from Colonel Alex B. MacNabb, and Colonel Carl J. Rohsenbeger replaced Colonel Gordon B. Rogers as commander of the 5th Cavalry Regiment. At division headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel John H. Dilley relieved Lieutenant Colonel William L. Nash, division G-3, who also returned to the Zone of Interior for reassignment.

In the line of operations, 900 military police and 105 general intelligence and security patrols were made while the Division Artillery Air Section registered 240 operational flights with their light aircraft, which was expanded to include two L-17, fourplace aircraft.

The strength of the division at the end of July 1949 totaled 11,038 enlisted men and officers. Progress was noted although an understrength condition was still in effect.

July also witnessed the continued training in Phase I and II of the Mobilization Training Program and the assignment of Lieutenant Colonel Marvin C. Ellison to the post of G-4, vice Lieutenant Colonel William H. Bedford, Jr. During the month, 921 military police patrols were made, 127 general intelligence and security patrols were accomplished and the Division Artillery Air Section registered 491 operational flights.

The post exchange and commissary building at First Cavalry Division Headquarters supplies all cavalry soldiers and dependents in the Camp Drake area. Featuring a snack bar, souvenir shop, household department and beauty parlor along with essential post exchange facilities, the store is the largest in the First Cavalry Division.

Honor in athletic competition fell upon Camp Drake during July when the division swimming and diving championship meet was held at Meiji Park pool on July 20, with Camp Drake winning the event.

In August, preparations for the Far East Command Small Arms Tournament received priority from all service elements at Camp Drake. The mission of enlarging the ranges at Camp Drake, assigned to the 8th Engineer Combat Battalion, was being attacked with speed and efficiency. Personnel from tactical elements within the division were being trained to function in all capacities as range officials and other personnel necessary for the efficient

Brigadier General Henry I. Hodes assumed command of the division upon the departure of Major General John M. Devine to the Zone of Interior on August 8. Major General Leland S. Hobbs, commanding general, IX Corps, inspected the First Cavalry Division installations during the month and on August 11, Lieutenant General Walton H. Walker, commanding general, Eighth Army, inspected training at Camp McNair.

Modern education equivalent to that in stateside institutions is taught at the First Cavalry Division Artillery grade school at Camp Drew, Ota, Japan. Experienced teachers from the United States, up-to-date educational facilities and an adequate recreational program is featured by the school for dependent children in the Camp Drew area.

To Be Continued...