NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1945)

6 NBC Transmitter ARMY SIERES HONORS HOME TOWNS OF AAF MEN A\ AIR FORCE SALUTE— A “Hometown, U.S.A.” window featured by a department store in i ictoria. Texas. Official A.4F series on W OAI pays respects to cities of service men. SAN ANTONIO. TFA.-Tlie “D.S.C.” is l)eing awarded Texas cities. Kach Sunday the Army Air Forces honors a “Dislinguished Service City” on ‘'Hometown. I ..S.A.” over WOAI here. Presented hy the San Antonio District, Army Air Forces Personnel Distrihution Command. “Hometown. I'.S.A.” is designed as an Air Forces' “thank you” to the home towns whose servicemen made ]K)ssihle the success of the AAF. During this half-hour show, WOAI audiences hear an interview with a returned airman and a dramatic sketch of his hackground in the “Distinguished Service City,” his military career, and his civilian aspirations. The Personnel Distrihution Command chorus and hand is under the direction of Captain Hugh J. Thomas, former concert ])ianist from Birmingham. Alabama. Musical arrangements are hy the former network arranger. Staff Sergeant Bill Bunt, who has scored for Paul Whiteman and .lack Teagarden. Featured vocalist is Private Dick Burr, former soloist with the Robert iMitchell Boy Choir of “Going My W^ay” fame. Scriptwriter is Private Farl Hammond. who played with Claude Rains and Arlene Whelan in “Underground.” The entire production is directed hy Lieutenant Paul Langford, former Pacific Coast free lance director and producer. Since joining the Army, Langford has initiated many wellreceived radio shows for the Air Forces, his most singular achievement being the Peabody Award Winner, “Purple Heart.” Since overseas veterans are received, reassigned, or separated for return to civilian life at the Personnel Distrihution Command, the program which the base presents over WOAI is of great assistance in linking veterans with their “Hometowns. L .S.A.” Arkansas Award to Beatty WC\SH1NGT0N. -The Arkansas Governor's award of the Arkansas Traveler Commission was presented recently to NBC Washington Commentator Morgan Beatty, former Little Rock newspaperman. Beatty received the award from Senator John L. McClellan. Attending the ceremony was W. J. Smith. rej)resenting Governor Ben Laney of .Arkansas. The award makes Beatty one of his home state's “ambassadors of good will.” WFAA Dedicates Series To Hospitalized U. S. Veterans DALLAS, TFX.— “Here they are— your men in maroon!” introduces the unique program broadcast by WFAA, Dallas, every Saturday from McCloskey, Harmon or Ashhurn General Hospitals. “Men in Maroon.’’ which received its title from the robes worn by soldier patients, has been termed by the W’ar Department the only radio program which deals principally with the medical angle. It is an interpretation of hospital care to the families back home— a friendly introduction of the doctors giving that care. Drama is presented both in the stories of battle actions in which soldiers were wounded and in the almost miraculous medical treatment that is healing them. Informal interviews with the patients add human interest. A partieular type of case is discussed each week. On one program, the doctor fitted his patient with an artificial eye. Another program featured amputation cases, and a veteran demonstrated his agility with an artificial leg for the benefit of the hospital audience. The end of the war does not mean the end of these hospital broadcasts, WTAA program planners state. They believe that the need is greater now than ever. Other people may be celebrating peace, but in the hospital wards the war is not over. “Men in Maroon” will contiTiue to remind the public of sacrifices and heroism. Cantor Aids Servicemen HOLLYW OOD.— Fddie Cantor, star of NBC’s “Eddie Cantor” show repeats this season his “give-a-gift-to-the-Yank-whogave” countrywide campaign which last year netted 1.500,000 extra Christmas presents for hospitalized servicemen. This year, as last. Cantor has the cooperation of American Legion jiosls. the American Red Cross and retail stores in collection and distrihution of presents from grateful Americans to the men who lie ill as a result of their service to their country. Cantor, who inspired so many entertainers to follow his example in cheering these men of the Purple Heart Circuit, intends to see that not one of them is overlooked in this Yuletide gift campaign.